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THE THREE KINGS. 



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Stii0S. 




OF GUSTAV'^NIERITZ. 


BY 

REBECCA H. SCHIVELY. 



PHILADELPHIA : 
LUTHERAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION. 
187 I. 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by the 
LUTHERAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION, 
in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 


STEREOTYPED BY J. FAGAN & SON. 



CAXTON PRESS OF SHERMAN t CO. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER I. 

PAGE 

The Sacrifice 9 

CHAPTER II. 

The Greek and the Israelite . . . .26 

CHAPTER III. 

The King’s Daughter . • 38 

CHAPTER IV. 

The Hebrew’s Lessons 55 

CHAPTER V. 

A Disagreeable Surprise 69 

CHAPTER VI. 

On the Way 93 

vii 


Vlll 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER VII. 

PAGE 

An Oriental City ii6 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Astrology 135 

CHAPTER IX. 

The Attack 150 

CHAPTER X. 

The Land of Jud/ea 163 

CHAPTER XL 

Bethlehem 184 


, CHAPTER XII. 

A Glimpse of the Future 201 


The Three Kings. 


CHAPTER I, 


THE SACRIFICE. 



T the time when the emperor Augustus 


1 . V reigned over the vast empire of Rome, 
all was dark and wild in the German Father- 
land. Dense, gloomy forests covered the 
ground, and numberless marshes loaded the 
air with noxious vapors, while the night of 
ignorance and superstition brooded upon 
the souls of the people. Long after the 
Greeks and Romans had created those mar- 
vels of sculpture and architecture which the 
world ever regards with admiration, the 


9 


10 


THE THREE KINGS. 


Germans still dwelt within the shades of 
their almost impenetrable woods, or in the 
rudest of huts. While the former were 
leading a life of luxury and refinement, the 
latter were still subsisting on the flesh of 
beasts killed in the chase, on the milk of 
their cattle, and on acorns and the juice of 
barley and wheat. Far back to those times 
of rugged, untutored physical strength our 
story would lead the young reader. 

Night lay dark upon the oak and beech 
forests of Germany ; for if the bright, pierc- 
ing rays of the sun failed to gain admit- 
tance through that leafy roof by day, how 
much less could the mild radiance of the 
moon and stars enter there! Still as the 
grave was the repose beneath the vaulted 
canopy of boughs. Men and beasts slept ; 
if a slight rustling sound was now and then 
heard, it was but the flight of the night-owl. 


THE THREE KINGS. 


II 


whose eyes gleamed through the darkness 
like two rolling balls of fire. 

It might have been about midnight, when 
a faint gleam of light appeared between the 
gigantic trunks of the mighty oaks. The 
clustering leaves of the trees glittered like 
emeralds, and the light gray trunks of the 
beeches resembled the stone pillars of a tem- 
ple, as the yellowish glare of a torch fell 
upon them. The torch was carried by a 
man who advanced with slow steps through 
the labyrinth of the wood, directing his 
way toward a place which, though cleared 
of trees, was none the less shaded by the 
boughs of the gigantic oaks that surrounded 
it. The simple dress of this man scarcely 
reached to his knees, and was confined at 
the waist by a girdle of raw -hide. Depart- 
ing from the German custom, he wore san- 
dals bound to his feet by leathern thongs. 
His head, with its thick black hair, was un- 

\ 


12 


THE THREE KINGS. 


covered, as well as his neck and the upper 
part of his chest. His countenance, re- 
vealed in sharp lines by the light of the 
torch, wore an expression of bitterness and 
hatred. 

**lt is Perinthes,” he said aloud, as he 
passed several men armed with heavy clubs, 
who were lying among the sweet -broom, 
and who raised their heads slightly and re- 
garded him, as he passed, with watchful and 
observant eyes. It' is Perinthes, on his 
way to sharpen the knives for the sacrifice.” 

These words he spoke in German ; but as 
he passed on, he muttered in Greek : “ Oh, 
that all these pale-faced, red-haired, weak- 
eyed sea-calves had but one neck, or but one 
heart, that, with a single blow, I might 
thrust them forever out of my sight ! Ah, 
Perinthes ! who could have foretold this fate 
for thee three years ago? Where is thy 
marble palace, with its fair colonnades? 


THE THREE KINGS. 


13 


where thy host of slaves ? where thy table, 
with its delicate viands, its sparkling wines ? 
where the soft carpets and the silken cur- 
tains ? where are thy silver and thy gold ? 
where the warm sunlight, the sweet fruits of 
thy native land ? O Perinthes ! basest slave 
of the despicable barbarian! the miserable 
food of swine is thy luxury ; thy couch is 
the chill, damp earth ; thy clothing, that of 
a beggar ; and thy gnawing anguish is that 
thou art powerless to avenge thyself on 
these German beasts ! ” 

Muttering thus, he raised his torch that 
its light might fall upon two rows of men, 
bound hand and foot, lying with closed eyes, 
apparently in profound sleep. 

“ And I am to whet the knives for your 
throats?” he continued, with a mocking 
smile of malice. “Weil, I do it so much 
the more willingly, that you too belong to 
these barbarian hordes. They sleep I ” he 


14 


THE THREE KINGS. 


continued, and yet this night is their last ! 
They are to be sacrificed in honor of the 
sun and the moon, and Tuisco, the son of 
the earth L In these woods can be seen as 
little of any one of these gods as of the others. 
Stupid savages, that know not even how to 
make images of their deities ! O ye, my 
gods ! have pity on your unhappy earthly 
son ! Jupiter, Thunderer ! where are thy 
lightnings, that might destroy these Ger- 
mans, and set me free ? Chaste Diana ! 
dost thou fear to tread these damp and 
gloomy forests ? Winged Mercury ! hasten 
hither, and bring me messages of consola- 
tion from my home ! Come, vine-crowned 
Bacchus ! transport me by thy gifts, that I 
may drink relief from my sorrows, and be 
glad once more ! But what do I see ? Is 
not that man of my own flesh and blood ? 
His clustering black hair, his flowing beard, 
his dark complexion — ha ! he raises his 


THE THREE KINGS. 


15 


dark bright eyes and fixes them upon me ! 
Speak, good friend ; art thou not too a 
Greek ? Oh, say that thou art ; let me 
have at least this one consolation ! ” 

“ I am an Israelite,” replied the prisoner, 
with some difficulty making himself intelli- 
gible in Greek. 

“ Oh, woe ! ” exclaimed Perinthes, in a 
tone of chagrin. “ A Hebrew ! a being 
without gods ! ” 

“ ‘ The Lord, our God, is one God,’ ” said 
the Israelite, with earnest emphasis. 

“Where is He, this God of thine?” asked 
Perinthes, mockingly ! “ He does not appear 
to concern himself much about thee.” 

A sharp whistle from one of the German 
guards interrupted the two men in their 
conversation. Perinthes, muttering wrath- 
fully in his beard, went on his way and dis- 
appeared through the entrance to a cave in 
the rocks, the interior of which, when illu- 


l6 THE THREE KINGS. 

mined by his torch, looked from without 
like an immense furnace of fire. 

The night passed away without further 
incident, and an uncertain glimmer of dawn 
spreading through the forest, ushered in the 
day appointed for the sacrifice. The space 
in front of the cave was soon filled by a 
band of Germans, who, forming a semicircle, 
left sufficient room for the performance of the 
fearful ceremony. Priests, with long flowing 
hair and beards, and in white robes, ap- 
peared, and removed the chains from the 
hands of the captives, that they might take 
their last earthly meal. They partook of it 
seated and in silent stupefaction ; only the 
Israelite refused, by a gesture, the proffered 
acorns. And now the throng of people 
separated to afford passage for a double line 
of soldiers, led by their king, Baldasser. 

But this king neither wore a golden crown 
on his reddish -yellow hair, nor bore any 


THE THREE KINGS. 


17 


sceptre or other symbol of royalty in his 
hand. Instead of an ermine mantle, a 
shaggy bear-skin hung from his shoulders, 
and his bare, brawny chest displayed neither 
star nor badge of rank. But his right hand 
grasped the stout shaft of a long lance, and 
in the girdle which confined his linen gar- 
ment hung a mighty battle-axe, the head of 
which was formed not of iron, but of granite. 
This king, a man not yet forty years of age, 
was distinguished from his followers only by 
his larger and better proportioned figure and 
more dignified bearing. His golden hair 
flowed in long waving locks from his high 
forehead, and his frank blue eyes looked out 
from his countenance — clear, white, and 
rosy as it was — tenderly as the forget-me- 
not beside the meadow brook. 

As he passed between the two files of sol- 
diers, who halted respectfully on each side 

of him, looking at the same time more like 
2 * B 


l8 THE THREE KINGS. 

his younger brothers than his dependants, 
each of them saluted him by laying the 
right hand on the heart, the spring of life, 
while the left pressed the lance more closely 
to the person. Thus placed, they looked 
like living though silent walls, a surer de- 
fence for their king than those of a stone 
fortress. Immediately after Baldasser had 
taken his stand near the mouth of the cave, 
the lines once more opened to admit four 
German maidens, accompanied by some old 
women, and bearing a rude litter, on which 
lay a young girl, half reclining upon soft 
furs. This was Baldasser’s only, and there- 
fore doubly beloved, daughter, the legacy of 
his early departed wife. 

But the king’s daughter was not like other 
German children, who grew up active as 
young deer and with strength like that of 
the oak-tree. She seemed like a tender pale 
blossom reared in the dark or in enervating 


THE THREE KINGS. 


19 


heat. The superstitious and the priests be- 
lieved the child was bewitched, and it was 
particularly on her account that the sacrifice 
appointed for this day was to be offered to 
the gods. To appease the sun,, the moon, 
the earth, and Teut, the son of the earth, 
that they might no longer withhold their 
blessings from the young princess, man’s 
blood must be shed. 

Baldasser cast upon his child a glance full 
of anxious paternal love, and then gave his 
whole attention to the priests, who now came 
forth, muttering prayers, from the cavern, 
and approached their victims. There, where 
the rising sun sent a single lightning-like 
ray between the trunks of the gigantic oaks 
into the darkness of the sacred place, the 
sacrifice destined for him was placed. The 
offering for the moon was disposed just be- 
neath where she stood, pale and spirit-like, 
looking' down through the shimmer of fo- 


20 


THE THREE KINGS. 


liage. That destined for the earth, and her 
son, Teut, was beside a freshly dug .pit, 
which was to receive the warm blood of 
real, not imaginary, children of earth. 

Erna, the daughter of Baldasser, looked 
timidly at the victims that stood nearest her 
awaiting their inevitable fate with bowed 
heads, and then cast down her deep -blue 
eyes covered with their long lashes. 

At the moment when the priests seized 
with one hand the victim, with the other 
their sharp granite knives, the air was filled 
with the discordant sound of four bull’s 
horns, blown with all the power of German 
lungs, and so violently that the cheeks of 
the horn-blowers seemed as if they would 
burst. And at the same moment the whole 
assembly united, as with one voice, in a 
chorus to the gods, praying them graciously 
to accept the offering. 

Such are the artifices which in all times 


THE THREE KINGS. 


21 


have been practised by heathen priests upon 
the people, in order to smother the voice of 
nature, the cry of anguish, the deep groan, 
the death-rattle of the human victim. In 
spite of all the noise, however, some cries 
of anguish seemed to reach Erna’s ears ; for 
more than once a chilling shudder visibly 
shook her frame. 

The horns were silent for an instant, the 
chorus ceased, and through the sudden still- 
ness were heard these words, slowly and 
solemnly uttered : 

“ Jehovah ! Jehovah ! Lord our God ! if I 
have but Thee, I ask no more in heaven or 
on earth ! Though my flesh and my heart 
fail me, yet art Thou, O Jehovah ! my soul’s 
trust and portion for evermore! Thou, Lord, 
art with me ; therefore will I not fear! What 
can man do unto me, O Jehovah ! 

Erna suddenly raised her eyes, and saw, 
close by the pit, a foreign-looking man, who. 


22 


THE THREE KINGS. 


kneeling with his arms outstretched toward 
the ‘^ky, had uttered these words in an un- 
known tongue. 

At a sign from Baldasser, the priests with- 
held their knives already raised over the 
Israelite’s head, while the king turned to 
Perinthes, who was standing near, and said : 

“ Dost thou understand, slave, what the 
stranger says ? ” 

% 

Oh, yes, my lord ! ” replied the wily 
Greek. “ He is of the Hebrew nation, and 
he is cursing thy daughter, because, as he 
has heard, this sacrifice is offered on her 
account. As he acknowledged to me last 
night, he was a powerful magician among 
his own people, and therefore — ha! see, my 
lord, how quickly the curse of the Hebrew 
has been fulfilled upon thy child 1 ” 

A fainting-fit, against which Erna was 
vainly contending, was, however, the result 
of the bloody scene, so heart-rending to a 


THE THREE KINGS. 


23 


frail and sensitive child, rather than of the 
Israelite’s solemn prayer; the impression 
made by the latter was but the last of many 
terrible and mysterious sensations. Faint- 
ing-fits, now so common, were in those days 
so rare among the Germans, and so inex- 
plicable to them, that, with other nervous 
affections, they were always ascribed to the 
influence of evil spells. When, therefore, 
Baldasser saw his daughter’s countenance 
convulsed and quivering, he said hastily to 
the Greek : 

“ Oh, Perinthes, entreat the stranger to re- 
move his curse from my child!” 

“And what wilt thou offer him as a reward 
for so doing, my lord ? ” said the Greek. “ I 
know of but one recompense which would 
induce him to obey thy wish, the gift of his 
life.” 

“ Be it so I ” replied the king, making 
again a sign with his hand, that the priests 


24 


THE THREE KINGS. 


should not harm the Israelite : this sign 
they obeyed, not yet having learned to exalt 
their will above that of the ruler. 

Perinthes addressed the Israelite in Greek : 

“Listen! Although thou art but a super- 
stitious Hebrew, I have pleaded thy cause, 
and obtained of this savage and superstitious 
king, thy release from death. I hope thou 
wilt be duly grateful to me in the future, for 
this service.” 

Although the Israelite could not under- 
stand all that Perinthes said to him, he 
gathered the sense of his words from the 
accompanying circumstances ; and yet, in- 
stead of immediately thanking the Greek for 
his pretended intercession, he raised his 
hands again toward Heaven, saying : 

“Jehovah, Thou art the one God, the 
Helper, — the one Lord, the Deliverer from 
death I Praised be Thy mighty name ! 
Selah 1 ” 


THE THREE KINGS. 


25 


He recalls his curse from thy daughter’s 
head, O king ! ” said the Greek to Baldas- 
ser ; “ and, behold ! already Erna is recover- 
ing ! If only thy gods were as swift in 
giving relief, as the magic of our happy 
Eastern countries ! ” 

Baldasser acted as if he had not heard the 
last remark of the Greek, occupying himself 
entirely in care for his child, who was now 
carried from the place. Ere long, the spot 
consecrated to sacrifice was as silent as it 
had been through the night. Perinthes fol- 
lowed the retiring Germans, accompanied by 
the released Israelite, to whom, with a tri- 
umphant smile, he was endeavoring to ex- 
plain his influential position with the king. 


3 


CHAPTER 11. 


THE GREEK AND THE ISRAELITE. 

N the evening of the same day, the 



Israelite and the Greek were seated 


together under a majestic oak, which 
stretched its great, knotty branches far up 
into the moonlit air, as if to seize the golden 
disc of the moon itself A rude hut, built of 
rough wood, and roofed with turf, was sup- 
ported against the mighty trunk. A low 
opening formed the entrance, and a broad 
board which lay near it, the door, intended 
only to prevent wild beasts from intruding 
by night. 

“ By the Styx,” exclaimed Perinthes to 
his companion, “ had it not been for me, thou 
wouldst never again have looked the moon 


THE THREE KINGS. 


27 


in the face. The sword hung over thy head, 
suspended by a single hair. Why did I avert 
it from thee ? Because a common misfortune 
has brought us together; and because two 
men can effect more than one. All our 
efforts must be directed toward freeing our- 
selves frorn this wretched slavery. To ven- 
ture alone out of these endless woods, in 
search of my home, — to encounter savage 
beasts single-handed, would be impossible 
for me. But in company with thee, my 
courage will be redoubled, as well as my 
hopes of success. Even thou, good Esaias,” 
Perinthes continued, with a satirical smile, 
“ must certainly find it hard to content thy- 
self with these delicious pomegranates — 
these sweet figs and grapes ! There,” push- 
ing a heap of acorns toward the Hebrew, 
“ didst thou ever eat more juicy dates ? Ah ! ” 
and the Greek sighed, “in this miserable 
Germany all is miserable ! What a pitiful 


28 


' THE THREE KINGS. 


king is this Baldasser? My slaves at home 
are better clad than he. And what thinkest 
thou of his palace? No boor, in our coun- 
try, would live in such a dog-kennel as is his 
royal residence.” 

O thou glorious city of Zion ! ” exclaimed 
the Israelite, forgetting himself for a mo- 
ment. “O thou majestic temple at Jeru- 
salem ! ” 

t 

Perinthes smiled compassionately. 

“ It is easy to see that thou hast never 
been in Greece, hast never seen the temple 
of the goddess Diana at Ephesus,” he said, 
disparagingly. “ A single column of Grecian 
workmanship surpasses all the temples of the 
Hebrews.” 

“We have but one temple,” answered 
Esaias, warmly, “ as we acknowledge but 
one deity — the only true God.” 

“Ye poor people ! ” ejaculated Perinthes, 
shrugging his shoulders. “ But to return to 


THE THREE KINGS. 


29 


our German master, who, when he is not 
hunting or fighting, is taking his repose on 
filthy bear-skins. O barbarians, who know 
no enjoyment but to gnaw hard acorns, to 
tear half raw flesh with your teeth, to gorge 
yourselves with a sour drink of water and 
wheat or barley, and then to lie idle! Ye 
gods I how can ye look down from Olympus 
upon such savages, without destroying them 
with your lightnings and thunderbolts, as 
once ye destroyed the heaven - defying 
Titans ? ” 

In his excitement Perinthes failed to ob- 
serve that every time he called upon his 
gods, a shade passed over the countenance 
of the Israelite, who shrank from him as if 
in aversion. 

“ And these brutish creatures must I 
serve — /, Perinthes, whose house was the 
most splendid in Ephesus, excepting only 
3 * 


30 


THE THREE KINGS. 


the temple of Diana ! Alas, my deplorable 
fate ! ” 

“ How earnest thou into the power of the 
rude Germans ? ” inquired Esaias of the 
Greek. “ I was taken prisoner by them 
when they surprised a Roman camp at Ma- 
guntia, where I was staying for a short time 
in order to transact some business.” 

“ And I,” said Perinthes, “ I had ventured 
in a vessel of my own up the Danube River, 
in order to visit a country as yet almost un- 
explored, and to discover new sources of 
wealth. My ship was shattered by treacher- 
ous rocks beneath the surface of the water. 
A horde of savage barbarians seized us just 
as we had succeeded, by swimming, in reach- 
ing the shore. I found myself separated 
from my companions ; I was passed as a 
slave from one people to another, until at 
last this German king, supposing me to be 
a doctor who could heal his daughter, ob- 


THE THREE KINGS. 


31 


tained me, by an exchange, for himself. I 
did not undeceive him ; if I had done so, I 
should most probably have been sacrificed 
to Teut. I have been obliged to learn the 
speech of these savages, which is bitter as 
gall to my Grecian tongue. It seems to me 
wonderful that I am still alive ; for, O He- 
brew ! two winters have I passed in this 
land accursed by the gods ! With such in- 
habitants, with its wild beasts, its bitter 
acorns, its countless marshes, its chilling 
mists, deep snows, and icy frosts, it seems 
less endurable to me than Tartarus with all 
its torments.” 

‘'Art thou skilled in healing diseases?” 
asked Esaias. “Art thou truly a physician?” 

“Aye, truly!” replied Perinthes, laughing, 
“ as much like one as a field-horse is like 
Pegasus! I do what I can, and am very 
thankful when Erna grows neither better 
nor worse. Her father has, indeed, prom- 


32 


THE THREE KINGS. 


ised me freedom as a reward for the cure of 
his daughter. I do not trust his promise; 
I fear rather that, when he no longer needs 
me, he will sacrifice me as a thank-offering 
to his gods.” 

“ Among the Romans there is a saying 
that the barbarians hold their promises sa- 
cred,” rejoined Esaias. 

“ I trust the Germans neither more nor 
less than I do the Romans,” said Perinthes ; 
“and I should think that you Hebrews could 
bear testimony to Roman faithlessness.” 

A deep sigh was the answer of the Israel- 
ite. He remembered, in silent sorrow, how 
his people, the chosen of the Lord, had be- 
come tributary to the Romans, who, under 
the pretext of protecting the Israelites from 
their enemies, had overrun their country 
with foreign legions, and impoverished it 
through exacting tax-gatherers. 

“Our first and greatest care must be this,” 


THE THREE KINGS. 


33 


Perinthes continued, to prepare every- 
thing for our successful flight, which, if I do 
not die in the meantime, must be accom- 
plished before winter sets in. We are here, 
it is true, allowed to go wherever we please; 
but any attempt to flee from this place would, 
if discovered, bring inevitable death upon 
us. And it will be very difficult to find a 
way through the labyrinths of these woods, 
by which we may avoid meeting other bar- 
barous tribes, and reach our destination in 
safety. Some pretext, some means for this 
end, let us, my good companion in misfor- 
tune, tax all our ingenuity to find. I do not 
fear that thou wilt differ from me; for so 
surely as my intercession has saved thy life, 
could my counsel procure thy immediate 
death. But, friend Hebrew, why dost thou 
not partake of this venison? It is tolerably 

well cooked, and is certainly more tempting 
C 


34 the three kings. 

to our spoiled palates than this swines’ food 
of acorns.” 

^‘The faith of my fathers forbids me to 
indulge in meats so prepared,” said Esaias, 
deprecatingly. 

Perinthes cast a glance of contemptuous 
pity upon his companion, and then said, “ I 
must recover to-night the sleep I was obliged 
to lose last night; is not that also thy wish? 
Let us creep into our sleeping -chamber, 
which rivals that of a Lucullus or a Sarda- 
napalus in luxury and splendor. We shall 
slip behind the golden door of our marble 
palace,” he said, mockingly designating the 
rude board lying at the entrance to the hut, 
*'and leave our numerous guards to keep 
watch over it.” 

“ It is well for thee that thou canst jest 
with thy misfortunes,” replied Esaias ; for 
me it is impossible. And thou must pardon 
me if I do not follow thee into the hut pro- 


THE THREE KINGS. 


35 

vided for us. Before I go to rest, I have a 
solemn duty to fulfil.” 

“If it concerns only thy superstitions, I 
have nothing against it,” replied Perinthes, 
yawning ; “ otherwise, I might protest.” 

“ I have to thank my God,” said Esaias, 
“who has this day delivered me, as once did 
He the prophet Daniel from the hungry 
lions. Our holy Scriptures say, ‘ Offer 
thanks unto God, and pay thy vows unto 
the Most High.’ ” 

“ What hast thou to offer to thy God, thou 
poor fool?” returned Perinthes, scornfully. 
“Not even a libation of wine canst thou 
pour out before him, much less burn sweet- 
smelling incense.” 

“ Obedience is better than sacrifice, and a 
willing heart than the fat of rams,” answered 
Esaias, earnestly. 

“ Sleep is the best of all at this hour ! ” 
exclaimed Perinthes, as he crept into the hut. 


36 THE THREE KINGS. 

closing its entrance from the inside with the 
board that lay near it. 

Esaias on his part, coming out from under 
the oak, knelt down with his face toward the 
east, and according to the requirements of 
his religion, offered his customary thanks- 
giving to Jehovah. Absorbed in his devo- 
tions, he did not perceive that a tall man, at 
some distance from him, in the shadow of 
the trees, watched him until he had finished, 
and turned toward the hut. Before entering 
it, however, the Israelite paused, and said to 
himself: 

“ Is it come to this, that not only must I 
sleep under the same roof with a Gentile, 
but I must even share his couch ? What a 
defilement ! Beware, Esaias ! rather lie ex- 
posed to the chill dews of the night ! ” 

Reclining against the trunk of the oak, 
great exhaustion soon caused him to fall 
into a profound sleep. On awakening the 


THE THREE KINGS. 


37 


next morning, he found himself, to his great 
surprise, covered to the neck with a warm 
bear-sftin. In vain did he try to conjecture 
who had done him this kindness ; he could 
not have imagined that it was King Baldasser, 
who, an unseen witness of the stranger’s de- 
votions, had afterwards found him sleeping 
on the ground, and compassionately covered 
him with the bear-skin which he took from 
his own shoulders. 

4 


CHAPTER III. 


THE king’s daughter. 

S EVERAL days after, Esaias was con- 
ducted to the king’s dwelling, which, 
like those of his subjects, was built of 
wood, and not larger than ordinary. The 
trunk of an immense oak occupied the centre 
of the edifice, and served as its principal sup- 
port, a circle of slender beech- trees and 
young oaks forming the enclosure around the 
dwelling. The doors, as well as the partition- 
walls of the house, consisted of the skins 
of beasts sewed together ; and as the apart- 
ments were without windows, and received 
only a little glimmer of light from above, the 
interior was quite dark. The Israelite had 
stood for some time in it before his eyes 

38 


THE THREE KINGS. 


39 


were sufficiently accustomed to the obscu- 
rity to distinguish objects. 

Gradually, however, he was able to recog- 
nize the other persons present. The first upon 
whom his eyes rested was the king’s daugh- 
ter, Erna, a girl of about eleven years of age, 
who was suffering from a very singular mal- 
ady. She was seated upon soft skins spread 
out on the floor, and was in a state of un- 
usual and unintermitted excitement. Every 
muscle of her face worked rapidly and pain- 
fully, and her arm, raised to an horizontal 
position, was moving in circles with fright- 
ful swiftness. These movements were ac- 
companied alternately by shrill laughter and 
harsh, discordant singing; at intervals both 
ceased, and the child began to sob aloud. 
Sometimes she would spring to her feet, and 
begin, without leaving her place, to leap and 
turn with a motion that somewhat resembled 
dancing. 


40 


THE THREE KINGS. 


Baldasser, the tall, kingly warrior, stood 
silent and motionless beside his child, an 
expression of the deepest grief upon his 
noble features. Erna’s female attendants 
formed 9, group behind the father and 
daughter, gazing with looks of wonder and 
sympathy on the afflicted child. In front of 
her lay, outstretched, a man in white cloth- 
ing, his face upon the floor, murmuring 
words of exorcism. It was the German 
high -priest, whose voice and appearance 
were but too familiar to the Israelite. 
Perinthes was scornfully watching this man’s 
proceedings, and glanced significantly at 
Esaias. Then he said, .in a commanding 
tone : 

“ Rise, Mamuh, and help me to drive out 
the evil spirit.” 

The priest reluctantly arose to obey this 
command, but cast upon the two foreigners 
a look of deadly hatred. He and the Greek 


THE THREE KINGS. 


41 


now seized Erna’s arm with both their hands, 
that they might forcibly prevent its motion. 
Their efforts excited the young girl to still 
greater exertions, in order to free herself 
from their grasp; but finding that she did 
not succeed, she burst out in a heart-rending 
cry, which called an expression of anguish 
to her father’s countenance. For several 
minutes the child struggled against the su- 
perior strength of the two men, but in vain, 
though they panted from their exertions in 
wrestling with this young and usually weak 
creature. Unable longer to endure the tor- 
turing scene, Baldasser turned with implor- 
ing voice and manner toward Esaias, who 
was unable to understand the German words 
addressed to him. 

“ Esaias ! ” said Perinthes, ‘^the king needs 
thy aid ! Come, make thy trial as a mighty 
magician. I am curious to see how thou 
wilt come out from this dilemma, and 


4 


42 


THE THREE KINGS. 


whether the disciple will venture to surpass 
his master.” 

For a few seconds Esaias stood in silent 
perplexity, and then said, firmly : 

Let go the child ! ” 

I do not need to be twice told to do 
that ! ” replied Perinthes, with a satirical 
smile, making a motion to the high-priest to 
release Erna’s arm from his grasp, as he 
himself had already done. Wiping the per- 
spiration from his forehead, he watched 
Esaias still with the same mocking look. 
The latter approached the sick child, who 
had sunk on her knees almost exhausted, 
and laying his left hand on her head, while 
his right was raised toward the sky, he said, 
with impressive accent : 

Have we not all one Father? Has not 
one God cre.ated us all ? Why then should 
one despise another? O Jehovah! thou 
God of my fathers, of Abraham, of Isaac, 


THE THREE KINGS. 


43 


and of Jacob, have mercy upon this child, 
although she is not of the seed of Abraham, 
and free her from the power of Beelzebub, 
the chief of the devils ! ” 

As if in blessing, Esaias rested his hands 
upon Erna’s head, which was still moving, 
though not so violently as before. Then he 
gently passed them over her shoulders and 
arms, and continued that action for some 
time. He also took Erna’s twitching fingers, 
and rubbed them gently with his own. Very 
soon he had the pleasant satisfaction of see- 
ing the violence of her paroxysms decrease, 
until at last they ceased altogether, and the 
child fell first into a gentle perspiration, and 
then into a sound sleep. 

The Greek, as well as the priest, had been 
a silent witness of this scene. Now, how- 
ever, Perinthes said, contemptuously : 

'' Dost thou imagine, Hebrew, that by that 
juggling thou hast really done anything 


44 


THE THREE KINGS. 


toward the cure of this barbarian’s child? 
Thou poor fool ! we have had opportunities 
enough to observe the same attacks before. 
However, I am quite willing to give up my 
place here to thee, provided that my neck 
does not become any better acquainted with 
the stone knives of these savage priests.” 

Perinthes’s character and conduct were 
not such as to inspire Esaias with any very 
warm friendship ; and these words only 
served to widen the breach between the two 
men. 

Without answering the Greek, Esaias stood 
still, as if irresolute, until Baldasser beckoned 
to him to follow him out of Erna’s chamber. 
The Israelite obeyed, and Baldasser, his face 
illumined with joy and gratitude, led the 
way into a large apartment filled with objects 
many and various. These were, apparently, 
the booty which the king and his warriors 
had brought home from their martial expe- 


THE THREE KINGS. 


45 


ditions. A second expressive gesture invited 
the Israelite to select from this repository 
such a reward as might please him. 

Gratitude is a virtue whose value every 
one can appreciate. This exhibition of it in 
the German king did not fail to make an 
agreeable impression upon Esaias. Yet he 
said to himself, in silent sorrow : 

“Alas, what are all treasures, compared 
with freedom ? O Gentile king, how thank- 
ful should I be, wouldst thou but permit me 
to return to my wife and children ! For I, 
like thyself, have a daughter, one of the 
same age, the joy and comfort of my heart.” 

His eyes wandered over all the valuable 
articles around him, until at last they rested 
upon a kind of stringed instrument, or harp. 

“Come,” he said, with a kind of melan- 
choly cheerfulness, “thou my friend and 
comforter in distress ! Thou wilt weep and 
rejoice with me, according as I sweep thy 


46 


THE THREE KINGS. 


strings sadly or hopefully. In thy company 
I may forget the woes of earth, and feel my- 
self nearer to the Lord, and to Heaven.” 

He took the instrument in his hand, and 
thanked the king by a look and a gesture. 
Then he left the king’s house, thinking : 

*‘This Gentile ruler appears not to be an 
evil-disposed man; I see this in his great 
love for his child, and his ready gratitude to 
me. It were well, in many respects, if I un- 
derstood the German tongue. I cannot trust 
the Greek to interpret faithfully what is said 
to me. I will try to learn their speech.” 

Day by day, therefore, Esaias improved 
his acquaintance with the German people. 
He studied their manner of living, which 
was very simple, though comfortable. The 
women attended to all domestic cares, as 
well as to the cattle. They spun and wove 
the flax and hemp, prepared the clothing, 
sewed the skins together, made mead and 


THE THREE KINGS. 


47 


beer, took care of the children, and provided 
their simple food. Far less industrious were 
the men. When not engaged in war, or in 
the chase, they passed their time in idleness, 
intoxicating themselves with beer, which 
they drank from the horns of oxen, and 
amusing themselves by playing games with 
dice. 

Esaias was daily brought to the king’s 
house, to attend Erna. Although the Israel- 
ite was a sage and experienced man, he was 
far from being an accomplished physician. 
He did not at all understand the nature of 
Erna’s disease. When he bade the priest 
and the Greek to loose their hold on her 
arm, he did so because appearances and a 
correct feeling led him to judge that her con- 
dition was rendered worse, rather than im- 
proved, by the restraint. The laying on of 
hands was a custom quite common among 
the Hebrews, and Esaias had stroked the 


48 


THE THREE KINGS. 


sick child with his hands, because he could 
think of no better way to soothe her, and 
this was at least an innocent one. 

Finding that the friction produced a salu- 
tary effect upon the child, he concluded to 
continue the use of it, and in addition caused 
her painfully quivering and twitching limbs 
to be gently rubbed with pieces of woollen 
cloth. He also turned his attention to her 
diet. It was not without sufficient reason 
that the Jewish priests, who were also the 
physicians of their people, imposed upon 
them so many and so strict fasts. As many 
diseases are the result of a want of modera- 
tion in eating and drinking, so fasting is an 
excellent remedy for them. Esaias, there- 
fore, allowed the king’s daughter only simple 
and easily digestible food, with pure water ; 
forbidding all the extracts of vegetables, and 
the nostrums which Perinthes had prescribed 
for her. 


THE THREE KINGS. 49 

And finally, as he conjectured, and with 
good reason, that Erna’s disorder had its seat 
in the blood, he persuaded her father to 
make her exchange her usual reclining pos- 
ture upon soft skins in a dark room, for 
daily exercise in the open, sunny air. He 
feared, however, that all these means might 
prove unavailing, — that the child was really 
possessed with an evil Spirit, or perhaps, in- 
deed, with more than one : so he failed not 
to call the Lord to his aid, and to conjure 
the evil spirit, by His almighty name, to de- 
part from her. 

Erna’s condition steadily improved, from 
week to week, which filled her father with 
delight, the Israelite with grateful pleasure, 
and the Greek and the priest with hatred 
and envy. With dark and sinister counte- 
nances the two last-named observed the 
daily increasing affection of the king and 
the people for Esaias. The favorable im- 
5 D 

% 


50 


THE THREE KINGS. 


pression the Israelite had made was due, not 
only to the good he had done Erna, but also 
to his skilful playing on the harp, and the 
singing with which he accompanied it. 

As a zealous Israelite, Esaias knew by 
heart many of the finest Psalms of David, 
which he sang to his harp with great expres- 
sion, and in a really fine voice. Frequently, 
when he had retired to some lonely spot in 
the woods to sing, he found himself, in a 
short time, surrounded by a circle of Ger- 
mans, of both sexes and all ages, who 
listened to him with reverential attention, 
often entreating him to sing and play longer. 
He sometimes gave his rude audience the 
pleasure of hearing his songs, translated into 
their own language, with which he had now 
become tolerably familiar. 

Upon the sick girl, particularly, his music 
produced a visible effect ; and at every attack 
of her distressing malady the king sent for 


THE THREE KINGS. 


51 


the Israelite, with the request that he would 
come and banish the evil spirit by his music. 
At such times, Baldasser himself did not fail 
to be an attentive listener, and Esaias con- 
gratulated himself upon having thus made 
him acquainted with the glorious Psalms of 
David. 

Thus passed fourteen or fifteen weeks, 
during which time Esaias had not passed 
beyond the bounds of the German encamp- 
ment. Erna’s recovery was rapidly progress- 
ing, and her physician already anticipated 
the moment when King Baldasser should 
give him freedom as his reward; for this 
promise had been given him, as before to 
the Greek. 

The latter became every day more surly 
and evil-minded toward the Hebrew. 

“ How thou makest me regret,” he said, 
one evening, to Esaias, “ that I saved thee 
from the sacrifice ! I trusted that I should 


52 


THE THREE KINGS. 


find a friend in thee, who would aid me in 
escaping from this barbarous tribe — instead 
of which, for four months, I have watched 
thee act the flatterer and sycophant toward 
the savage and his daughter. Besides, thou 
hast supplanted me in Baldasser’s favor, and 
thus rewarded me with ingratitude. The 
summer, so favorable for our escape, thou 
hast allowed to pass away, and prevented 
me from obtaining the means of escape. 
Thy life is in my hand, — what hinders me, 
since thou art my enemy, from killing 
thee? ” 

“ I am not thine enemy,” replied Esaias ; 
“ I am rather thy true friend. The day will 
soon come when we shall both be able to 
leave this camp free, and safe from pursuit 
and death.” 

“ Poor, credulous fool ! ” said Perinthes, 
scornfully. “ Know, that as soon as thou 
art no longer needed here, thou and I will 


THE THREE KINGS. 


53 


both be sacrificed to Teut, in gratitude for 
Erna’s recovery. The high-priest told me 
so in confidence.” 

Passion blinds thee, my dear Perinthes,” 
returned Esaias, “ else wouldst thou certainly 
put more confidence in the solemn promise 
of King Baldasser, than in the words of the 
high -priest. And, think, would not the 
king, who through fear of my curse saved 
me from death, find still greater reason to 
dread my vengeance, now that, by the help 
of my God, his daughter is almost entirely 
cured. Where is thy usual wisdom, Perin- 
thes ? Beware of that false priest, who, in 
order to bring us under his knife, would 
willingly lay a snare for us.” 

“And shall I trust thee,” rejoined Perin- 
thes, with some bitterness, “thee, who art 
ever cold and reserved toward me, and 
becomest, day by day, more familiar and 
friendly with these barbarians ? Why dost 
5 ^ 


54 


THE THREE KINGS. 


thou SO persistently refuse to share the hut 
where I sleep, and to eat with me ? Why 
dost thou seek the company of the bar- 
barians more frequently than mine ? ” 

It is the faith of my fathers,” answered 
Esaias, which obliges me to live separate 
from others. And in singing and playing 
for the barbarians, I hope to benefit them by 
leading them to better thoughts and gentler 
feelings. It is not I who seek their society, 
but they mine.” 

Perinthes was silenced, but still showed 
by his conduct that he doubted the Israel- 
ite’s sincerity; and indeed, Esaias had not 
revealed to him the principal motives of his 
reserve toward him. 


✓ 


CHAPTER IV. 


THE Hebrew’s lessons. 

I T was on a pleasant evening that the 
king’s daughter, Erna, was returning to 
her home, accompanied by her playmates 
and attendants, across the fields and through 
the woods. Baldasser and Esaias followed 
them. The king looked with joy and affec- 
tion at his child, who, with firm step, and 
cheek slightly tinged with the rosy color of 
returning health, went along the path. Both 
she and the young girls who accompanied 
her were laden with full sheaves, for it was 
the time of harvest, and they were returning 
from a small barley-field that belonged to 
the king. In those days, even the daughters 
of kings thought it no disgrace to perform 

55 


56 THE THREE KINGS. 

with their own hands the tasks that Nature 
imposes upon man. 

The mountains and the forests resounded 
with the merry songs of the reapers, and the 
crickets among the sweet -broom chirped 
loudly, as though they would rival the 
young girls in their music. The bees, laden 
with their sweet booty, and clad in their yel- 
low, waxen hose, were flying to their homes 
in the trunks of the hollow trees. A flock 
of noisy crows were shrilly chattering among 
the tops of the tall pines. Graceful deer 
paused at the edge of the wood to listen to 
the singing, and fled with agile foot if they 
chanced to hear the barking of a dog near 
them. Overhead, like a dark spot upon the 
rosy evening sky, hovered the golden eagle, 
seeking his prey with piercing eye. 

The little party soon reached an elevation, 
from whose top, bare of trees, they could 
enjoy a charming view of the surrounding 


THE THREE KINGS. 


57 


country. The western sky still glowed with 
varied colors, for the sun had sunk to rest 
amid purple and gold-bordered clouds. The 
evening star was already shining, peeping 
forth at intervals from among the clouds. 
And as the sun, the ruler of day, disap- 
peared, there arose, above a dark-green 
stretch of woodland, that faithful, that gladly 
welcomed companion of the benighted wan- 
derer, the moon. Silent, like all that is truly 
great and majestic, her silvery disc ascend- 
ed from the dark horizon, not like the sun, 
repelling the dazzled gaze of men, but rather 
inviting their eyes to the enjoyment of its 
peaceful light. And when this grand light, 
waxing stronger and stronger as it rose 
higher in the sky — the gift of God to man, 
as his guide through the darkness, — when 
this grand light mirrored itself in the human 
eyes, the young reapers laid down their 
sheaves and bowed their knees to the earth. 


58 THE THREE KINGS. 

and adored that as a deity which is but a 
creature of the Lord. 

Baldasser united in this worship, repeat- 
ing, in a suppressed tone, the prayers pre- 
scribed by the priests. But Esaias, to whom, 
as to all true Israelites, such idolatry was an 
abomination, touched with rapid hand the 
strings of his harp, his constant companion, 
and sang aloud from the 104th Psalm the 
verses : 

“ ‘ Bless the Lord, O my soul ! 

O Lord, my God, Thou art very great ; 

Thou art clothed with honor and majesty. 

Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment : 

Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain ; 

Who layest the beams of His chambers in the waters : 

Who maketh the clouds His chariot : 

Who walketh upon the wings of the wind. 

He appointed the moon for seasons : 

The sun knoweth his going down. 

O Lord, how manifold are Thy works ! 

In wisdom hast Thou made them all : 

The earth is full of Thy riches ! ’ ” 


THE THREE KINGS. 59 

When Esaias had finished, Baldasser 
mildly said to him : 

“ Thou believest, O stranger, that thy God 
is greater than the moon, — indeed, that He 
has created this deity? How canst thou 
prove this ? ” 

“ Dost thou ask proof, O king ? ” returned 
Esaias. Of what avail to thy daughter were 
all the conjurations of the sun, the moon, the 
earth, and her son ? Of what avail were those 
of Perinthes, in the name of his gods ? Only 
Jehovah is God, and beside Him is there 
none ! Raise thine eyes, O king, and behold ! 
Who has made all things ? It was Jehovah, 
who in the beginning created the heavens and 
the earth. Therefore, ‘the heavens declare 
the glory of God, and the firmament showeth 
His handiwork.’ Ask of the earth, my lord ! 
it will instruct thee ; the fish of the sea will 
inform thee. Oh, Jehovah, our God ! Thou 
hast made the heavens and the earth by the 


6o 


THE THREE KINGS. 


might of Thine outstretched arm, and no- 
thing is impossible with Thee ! ” 

“But where is thy God?” asked Baldasser; 

“ why does He not show Himself unto me, 
like the sun, the moon, and our earth, that 
I may believe in Him ? ” 

“ The God of my fathers is a spirit,” re- 
plied Esaias, “and therefore invisible. But 
thou mayest know Him by His works. All 
that thou seest, from the least even unto the 
greatest, is the work of His hands. The sun 
and the moon go on in their courses, because 
God hath appointed them so to do. And 
the earth must bring forth grass and herbs, 
and trees and fruits, according to His will. 
And we men must do as he hath commanded 
us, else will His wrath be kindled against us, 
and we shall be chastised. For He is a 

f 

mighty and a jealous God, who will not let 
transgressors go unpunished.” 

“What are the commands of thy God?” 


THE THREE KINGS. 


6l 


inquired Baldasser, “ and how canst thou 
know them, if thy God cannot be found ? ” 

“Jehovah may everywhere be found,” 
answered Esaias ; “yet although He does 
mighty works, He himself may not be seen. 
Dost thou ask, whence comes this knowl- 
edge ? Listen to me, O king, and I will tell 
thee.” 

It was a beautiful picture, and well worthy 
of a painter’s pencil, when the women and 
girls laid down their golden sheaves among 
the sweet-broom, forming a circle around 
the king and his daughter and the vener- 
able Esaias, and sat down in little pictu- 
resque groups, as reverent listeners, their 
blooming countenances lighted up by the 
rosy reflection of the sunset sky and the 
soft rays of the rising moon. The German 
king, with his long golden hair, his fine oval- 
shaped countenance, his light blue eyes and 

brown beard, sat upon a sheaf, beside the 
6 


62 


THE THREE KINGS. 


dark Oriental, the Israelite, who formed an 
equally fine-looking contrast to him in ap- 
pearance ; and the gentle, blossom-like girl, 
Erna, knelt at her father’s feet, resting her 
elbow on his knee, and supporting her ani- 
mated face upon her hand. 

“ Tell me, O king,” said Esaias, “ whence 
sprang the first plants ? the first trees ? the 
first man ? ” 

“ From the mother of us all, the Earth ! ” 
replied Baldasser. 

“ Not so, good king! ” said Esaias. “ The 
earth is only able to afford to the grain of 
corn, the plant and the tree, the nourishment 
necessary for them, but not to bring them 
forth of her own power. And if even the 
earth were able to give being to man, with 
his limbs, his flesh and blood, his skin, his 
bones, yet would she be powerless to breathe 
into him a living soul. Nor could the first 
human pair have been, like the present chil- 





■l 



THE THREE KINGS. 63 

dren of earth, obliged to grow up by degrees, 
like young plants, through the love and care 
of mothers. Not to die on the first day of 
their existence, they must have been created 
full-grown, and able to exercise all their 
faculties. Yes, O king! Jehovah created 
the first human beings, and caused that all 
the nations of the earth should spring from 
them.” 

“ Ah I then thou art related to me, dear 
Esaias I ” said Erna, smiling. 

“ It is so,” replied the Hebrew. There- 
fore men should neither despise nor per- 
secute each other. Jehovah walked and con- 
versed with the children of men,” he con- 
tinued, so long as they continued His chil- 
dren, and obeyed Him. Their disobedience 
alone caused Him to withdraw His presence 
from them ; yet He still revealed himself to 
those men who knew and honored him. 
Such an one was our father Abraham, who 


64 


THE THREE KINGS. 


early learned that gods of wood, or of stone, 
could not be true deities, but that Jehovah 
must be the only true God. Of such earthly 
images, Terah, the father of Abraham, pos- 
sessed many, which he had prepared, and 
kept in a great cave, whither he went daily 
to implore their aid and protection. To wit- 
ness this idolatrous service gave Abraham 
great pain ; and, indeed, his father re- 
quired that he also should participate in it. 
So, one day, he destroyed all these idols, 
except one, in the hand of which he placed 
the staff with which he had broken the rest. 
When Terah visited the cave to worship his 
idols, and found them scattered in pieces on 
the ground, he was filled with wrath, and 
cried : 

‘ Who hath done this ? ’ ” 

“ * Behold, my father,’ said the young man, 
pointing to the image that remained stand- 
ing, ^ it must have been this one, for the staff 


THE THREE KINGS. 65 

is still in his hand.’ Thereupon Terah re- 
buked him, saying : 

‘Thou foolish boy! how could it move, 
seeing that it hath no life ? ’ 

“ ‘ If that be so,’ answered Abraham, ‘ how 
can it be a god ? And why dost thou ask 
help from these images, which are not able 
even to protect themselves from a single 
youth like me ? ’ 

“ Then Terah acknowledged with shame 
that his son had been wiser than himself 
And Jehovah afterward revealed himself to 
this same Abraham in a dream, under the 
figure of a man, and told him that his de- 
scendants should be the Lord’s own chosen 
people, and that through them all nations 
of the earth should be blessed.” 

“ Thou makest us forget to return home,” 
interrupted the king. “ See, a chill mist is 
rising, which, thou hast told me, is unwhole^ 

some for Erna.” 

6 * 


E 


66 


THE THREE KINGS. 


** Thou art right, my lord ! ” said Esaias, 
rising. The road to the German encamp- 
ment was retraced by the little party with 
but few words, for all saw an expression of 
deep thoughtfulness on the countenance of 
Baldasser, and preserved a respectful silence. 

When Esaias reached the lowly dwelling, 
which he still shared with the Greek, he 
found the latter before it, apparently waiting 
for him. 

“ Thou knowest, Hebrew,” Perinthes com- 
menced, “that early to-morrow morning, 
Baldasser and the other Germans go forth 
on a hunting expedition, to be absent several 
days ? ” 

“ I know it,” replied Esaias, “ for the king 
has confided to me the care of his daughter 
during his absence. There have been seen 
near the camp the footprints of large, wild 
beasts, which they hope to find and kill.” 

“ Well ! I have waited only too long for 


THE THREE KINGS. 6/ 

such an opportunity,” said Perinthes, “ to flee 
with safety. Thou wilt accompany me ? ” 

'' O Perinthes ! ” entreated Esaias, “ relin- 
quish thy perilous intention ! Immediately 
after the king’s return from this hunt, we 
shall receive our freedom, and then we can 
return to our homes, openly and without 
fear. Banish thy unjust suspicions of Bal- 
dasser’s rectitude, and close thine ear to the 
false whispers of the idol priests ! ” 

“The atmosphere of even a barbarian 
court is sufficient to intoxicate poor human 
nature with folly ! ” replied Perinthes, dis- 
dainfully. “ Have Baldasser’s smooth 
words led thee so soon to forget thy 
fatherland and thy family? I tell thee, 
that so soon as thou art no longer needed 
here, thou wilt be cast away as the bait that 
has served to lure the fish. Thou wilt be 
detained here, until the beginning of the 
fearful winter season prevents all travelling. 


68 


THE THREE KINGS. 


I would not endure another winter here at 
any price ! The autumnal frosts already 
show it to be approaching; follow, then, 
thine own self-will ! But bury my design 
deep in thy bosom, if thou wouldst make 
no nearer acquaintance with this friend of 
mine ! ” 

With these words, he showed the Israelite 
the glittering hilt of a dagger, which he im- 
mediately concealed again in his bosom. 

Do as thou wilt,” said Esaias, and fear 
no betrayer in me.” 

“ I fear no man ! ” returned Perinthes, 
haughtily, as he turned to enter the hut. 


CHAPTER V. 


A DISAGREEABLE SURPRISE. 

I T was still dark on the next morning, 
when Perinthes, after a sleepless night, 
left his bed and came out of the hut. Not 
far from its entrance, he found a dark object 
resting against the trunk of an oak ; it was 
the Israelite, wrapped in his bear-skin, and 
still sleeping soundly. 

** Contemptible slave ! ” muttered Perin- 
thes, pausing before the sleeper, “thou 
thinkest thyself, in thine arrogance, above 
sharing the couch of a noble Greek ! I 
might repay thy pride with a thrust from 
my dagger, but I cannot find it in my 
heart to deprive Mamuh of his sacrifice. 
Yea, good Esaias, to-day thou wilt be with 


70 


THE THREE KINGS. 


thy fathers in Paradise, and that quite con- 
trary to thy expectations. But I hear the 
dogs barking, and the barbarians hurrying 
to their place of meeting. Directly after 
they have set out, will be the best time for 
me to slip quietly away in the opposite di- 
rection. The king’s stupid carelessness has 
enabled me to gather from among their 
booty quite enough money for my journey. 
And now, O ye gods ! strike all these bar- 
barians with blindness and deafness, lame 
their feet, and mislead their hounds ; yea, 
hurl them all this day deep down to Tar- 
tarus ! ” 

With this vindictive curse on his lips, 
Perinthes stole cautiously away into the 
woods. 

Immediately after, the sound of the ox- 
horns, the signal for the departure of the 
hunt, awakened the Israelite. He went to 
the king’s house, before which the Germans, 


THE THREE KINGS. 


71 


eager for the sport, stood in all the pride of 
their strength, an array of tall, faultless fig- 
ures, all wonderfully alike. Baldasser’s fine 
horse was stamping and neighing impa- 
tiently, awaiting its master. He soon ap- 
peared, and smiling as he perceived the Is- 
raelite, said to him: 

“ Erna is already rejoicing over the tales 
thou wilt tell her during my absence. The 
Greek, it seems, does not share in our hunt, — 
well, he is more woman than man. He must 
still be asleep ? ” 

“ It may be so,” replied Esaias, and stood 
looking thoughtfully after the hunting-party, 
until, amid the sound of horns and the 
barking of dogs, they disappeared in the 
woods. 

In obedience to her father’s wish, Erna 
seldom crossed the threshold of his house 
during his absence, and never went beyond 
the bounds of the encampment. It might 


J2 THE THREE KINGS. 

have been about five hours from the time 
when the hunting-party set out, and noon was 
approaching, when Esaias sat with her among 
a little circle of women and girls, who had 
visited the king’s daughter, partly to render 
her their services, partly to bear her com- 
pany during the king’s absence. 

The Old Testament Scriptures has the 
rich treasury from which Esaias drew the 
histories he narrated to the child. On ac- 
count of its similarity with Erna’s affliction, 
he had on this day chosen the story of the 
Syrian leper. 

“ The ruler of a mighty people,” he began, 
“ whose land is near my native country, was 
very ill, far more so than thou, O princess ! 
No one could relieve his sufferings ; indeed, 
all men avoided him. But he was a good 
man, and kind to his servants, for which 
reason they all loved him. Among these 
was a young damsel of my people, who had 


THE THREE KINGS. 


73 


been taken prisoner, and who lived in the 
house of the suffering prince, and she pitied 
him. ^ Ah,’ she said, ^ if my lord would but 
go to the man of God who dwells in Samaria, 
he would surely heal his disease.’ When the 
ruler heard this, he journeyed and came to 
the man of God, and entreated him to heal 
him. The holy man told him to wash seven 
times in the Jordan, the river of my country. 
The ruler at first despised the prophet’s coun- 
sel, for he thought that there were waters in 
his own land that possessed more virtue than 
those of the Jordan, but at last, when en- 
treated by one of his servants, he obeyed. 
And behold! his health returned I In his 
great joy and thankfulness, he offered the 
man of God the richest gifts ; but the 
prophet refused them, because he was rich 
in his God.” 

“ And what became of the little girl ? ” 
asked Erna. 

7 


74 


THE THREE KINGS. 


‘^The ruler gave her her freedom, with 
great gifts,” replied Esaias. 

Hast thou seen the river in which the 
sick man bathed ? ” 

“ I have,” replied Esaias. “ We have also 
in Jerusalem a pool which possesses wonder- 
ful properties. A messenger of our God 
sometimes moves the waters, and whoever 
then first steps' into the water, is cured of 
whatever disease afflicts him.” 

Why have we no such river or pool ? ” 
said Erna. 

“Because thy people know not our God,” 
answered Esaias. 

At this moment, a heavy hand was laid 
upon his shoulder, and as he turned in sur- 
prise, the threatening countenance of the 
high -priest Mamuh, who had entered the 
apartment unobserved by the eager listeners, 
met his eye. 

“ Leave the room, stranger,” said Mamuh, 


THE THREE KINGS. 


75 


ill a tone of command. I have something 
to say to the king’s daughter, which is not 
for thine ears.” 

Obedient to this direction, Esaias went 
out, but at the threshold of the adjoining 
room found himself surrounded by five or six 
priests, who seized him with strong hands. 

“ Be silent, and follow us,” they said, in a 
low voice, “ or beware of our knives ! ” And 
one of them brandished his heavy granite 
knife menacingly over Esaias’s head, 

“What do ye propose against me?” he 
asked, firmly, though his face was pale. “ Fear 
ye rather your king’s wrath, which will be 
kindled hotly against you, if ye do me any 
violence.” 

“ Thou art an evil sorcerer,” said one of 
the priests, “and Baldasser will learn to 
thank us for delivering him and his child 
from thine enchantments. Better endure 
the king’s wrath than that of the gods.” 


76 THE THREE KINGS. 

Comprehending that resistance would be 
vain, Esaias decided to follow his captors 
quietly. But at this moment, shrill cries, 
uttered by women’s voices, rent the air ; and 
as the priests, with Esaias, stepped out of the 
king’s dwelling, they suddenly scattered 
like spray driven before the wind. The 
freed Israelite found himself overpowered 
and borne to the earth by the sudden onset 
of some powerful foe, and was at the same 
time terrified by a loud crashing and rend- 
ing, which seemed to proceed from the fall 
of the king’s house. 

The recollection of the little girl confided 
to his care made him forget all else. He 
sprang to his feet, and saw before him a 
huge black monster, with short, thick horns 
apparently strong as iron, with which he 
was breaking up the wooden house as easily 
as if it had been made of shreds. All the 
women and girls, except Erna, were escaping 


THE THREE KINGS. 77 

from the openings in the house, — her he did 
not see. — 

The aurochs ! the aurochs ! ” cried the 
women, trying to hide behind the trunks of 
the trees. 

And now the last corner of the king’s 
house fell before the blows of the raging 
beast. A4oud peal of laughter accompanied 
its fall. It was from Erna’s lips; she was 
upright in the midst of the ruins, whirling 
around in a circle, apparently unconscious 
of the neighborhood of the fierce aurochs. 
Just as the monster lowered his unsightly 
head, to catch the child upon his horns, 
Esaias threw all his weight upon one of the 
horns, throwing one arm around the great 
neck, and with the other hand dealing heavy 
and rapid blows upon the protruding eyes of 
the aurochs. Foaming with rage, and bellow- 
ing furiously, the powerful beast tried to 
throw his antagonist off, raising and lower- 

7 * 


78 


THE THREE KINGS. 


ing his head in vain. Esaias made the 
short but perilous ascent and descent with 
the motions of the infuriated animal, never 
once intermitting the blows he was S'hower- 
ing upon the great eyes. 

A redoubled effort on the monster’s part 
at last threw Esaias, like a ball, into the air. 
What awaited him when he should fall to 
the earth, at the side of the furious animal, 
may easily be imagined ; but it was other- 
wise ordered than as the now half stupefied 
Israelite feared. The noisy barking of dogs, 
and the sound of many voices greeted his 
ear, mingled with the sullen roar of the 
aurochs. In another moment, he heard a 
heavy fall, and when he ventured to open 
his eyes, he saw Baldasser on his horse, just 
in the act of drawing his hunting-spear from 
the neck of the fallen creature, which was 
also pierced in many places by the lances of 
the king’s followers. 


THE THREE KINGS. 


79 


Baldasser’s eyes were soon turned from 
the still quivering beast in search of his 
daughter. He found her under a tree at 
some distance from the scene of the conflict, 
whither she had been led by some of her 
women, who, animated by the brave example 
of the Israelite, had ventured near enough 
to take her away. Joy at finding her safe 
at first outweighed his pain in seeing her 
malady renewed with more than its former 
violence. 

The high-priest, Mamuh, approached him 
as he sat near the carcass of the aurochs, 
gazing sadly at his daughter, who was sing- 
ing and dancing wildly before him. 

“ Behold, O king ! ” he began, with severity, 
“the chastisements of our gods, because thou 
hast yielded thyself and thy daughter to the 
influence of a foreign sorcerer, who, by his en- 
chantments, worked a seeming improvement 
in her condition — as thou seest, not a real or 


8o 


THE THREE KINGS. 


lasting one. I came into thy house just as 
the faithless Hebrew, availing himself of thy 
absence, thought to lead thy child to the 
gods of his nation. And at that instant, 
Teut, the great son of the earth, sent the 
aurochs to destroy the magician. A short 
time only, through his enchantments, he 
withstood the animal ; but the beast was too 
much for him, and would have killed him, 
had he not fallen under thy spear. Arise, 
then, O king ! no longer withhold from 
Teut the offering which once before he 
chose for his own, and which thou, through 
mistaken judgment, and by the counsel of 
the false Perinthes, didst rob him of Let 
his blood flow to-day, that thy child may be 
healed!” 

At the same time, Esaias lay among the 
trees, bruised and sore, and sighed out: 

“ Lord Jehovah, visit me not in inger, 
chastise me not in Thy wrath ! How near 


THE THREE KINGS. 


8i 


did I imagine myself to the object of my 
desires ! And now Thy wrath is kindled 
against these heathen, and Thou hidest Thy 
face from them, who are still sitting in the 
valley and shadow of death, although Thou 
hast permitted them to hear of Thy wonders 
by my mouth ! Thou hast shown them that 
Thou art able to send health or sickness, ac- 
cording to thy mighty will. Burnt-offerings 
and meat-offerings please Thee not ; there- 
fore art Thou wroth with these Gentiles, who 
sacrifice human blood to their idols. But, 
Lord, Thou wilt not turn away Thy loving- 
kindness from me ; let Thy faithfulness and 
mercy ever be my protection. And hast 
Thou not said, that the child shall not an- 
swer for the evil deeds of his fathers ? 
Therefore, O Jehovah ! cast out the spirit of 
disease from the daughter of the king, that 
the heathen may praise Thy name ! None 

is like unto Thee, O Lord ! Thou art great, 
F 


82 


THE THREE KINGS. 


and Thy name greatly to be feared, and 
Thou canst magnify it by mighty deeds. 
Who shall not fear Thee, Thou King of all 
the earth ? Thee shall all men obey ! ” 

In another part of the German encamp- 
ment, a prisoner was brought to his place 
of confinement. It was Perinthes, who had 
been discovered and captured in his flight. 
Torn and bloody, he walked in the midst of 
his captors. He knew but too well the fate 
that was before him, yet, when he learned 
what had passed, he muttered, with malici- 
ous, vindictive satisfaction : 

So, ye gods ! ye have swiftly avenged 
me upon the barbarian king and his daugh- 
ter, and this haughty Hebrew ! Oh, had ye 
but fulfilled all my prayer, and cast all this 
people at once into Tartarus ! Why, O god- 
dess Diana, dost thou not protect thy wor- 
shipper against these faithless wretches ? 
Perinthes would have sacrificed a hecatomb 


THE THREE KINGS. 83 

Upon thy altar, hadst thou but aided him to 
reach Ephesus in safety ! ” 

Such were the words of the German, the 
Israelite, and the Greek ; each measured by 
the misfortune of the day the wrath of the 
being or beings that he worshipped, thus 
attributing to divinity the passions of hu- 
manity. 

When the will of kings and mighty men 
of earth is crossed and thwarted by a higher 
Will, they too often vent their chagrin upon 
their dependants. This was now the case 
with Baldasser. Carried away by Mamuh’s 
sinister representations, and rendered impa- 
tient by his daughter’s unhappy condition, 
he commanded Esaias, on pain of death, to 
cure Erna in three days, at the furthest. 

This presumption provoked the austere 
Israelite. 

“Am I then a god,” he said, sternly, 
“ that I can give life and health ? It is not 


84 


THE THREE KINGS. 


my skill, it is the grace of Jehovah alone 
that bestowed the renewal of health upon 
thy child. It is He who giveth life and 
breath to all men everywhere. And thou 
presumest, O king, to appoint unto the Lord 
my God, after thine own pleasure, the times 
and seasons when he shall help thee ? 
What art thou, that thou dost tempt Je- 
hovah ? Such boldness deserves no favor, 
but rather displeasure and wrath.” 

“ Thou refusest, thou poor worm ? ” ex- 
claimed Baldasser, his anger breaking forth. 

Is not thy life in my hand ? ” 

“It rests in the hand of my God,” replied 
Esaias, with perfect calmness, “ and I refuse 
to tempt Him at thy bidding.” 

“ Away with him, he is yours ! ” cried Bal- 
dasser to the priests. 

With silent rejoicings they led away the 
destined sacrifice to the cave where Perin- 
thes already lay in chains on the hard earth. 


THE THREE KINGS. 


85 


"‘Well,” said the Greek, in derision, for- 
getting his own misfortunes in those of his 
enemy, “ did I not prophesy aright ? Now 
thou receivest the reward of thy stubborn- 
ness and credulity.” 

“And thou, the wages of thy faithless- 
ness,” returned Esaias. “ I can console 
myself by remembering that I have acted 
uprightly. This thou canst not do, and the 
reflection must embitter thy death.” 

“This time will no Perinthes come for- 
ward,” said the Greek, “ to snatch thee from 
Teut. Hearest thou that they are sharpen- 
ing the knives for our throats? That was 
once my business.” 

Esaias made him no answer. He recalled 
to mind the three men in the fiery furnace, 
and began to repeat their prayers aloud. 

As he did so, overcome by the exertions 

and trials of the day, his eyes gently closed, 
8 


86 


THE THREE KINGS. 


and the slumber of a good conscience fell 
upon him. 

How long he had remained thus sweetly- 
sleeping, he knew not, when a strange hand 
shook and awakened him. He looked up, 
and saw, by the light of a torch carried by 
a boy, King Baldasser standing near him. 
Every trace of rage had disappeared from 
his noble countenance, only an expression 
of silent grief still overshadowed it. 

Arise, O stranger ! ” he commanded, 
mildly. 

Now for the first time Esaias discovered 
that his feet and hands were no longer 
bound. Not without difficulty he arose, and 
Baldasser continued : 

^‘Yesterday, I was ungrateful toward thee. 
I was too hasty, and I am come how to re- 
pair my fault. It was not until late that I 
learned from the women how thou, at the 
peril of thy own life, didst preserve my child 


THE THREE KINGS. 


3 / 


from the furious beast. Art thou willing 
again to undertake Erna’s cure, ifl prescribe 
to thee no time ? ” 

I am willing, yet I may perhaps be un- 
able to accomplish it,” replied Esaias. ** For 
Jehovah, the God of my fathers, has turned 
away His face m wrath from thee and thy 
child, and His anger cools not so quickly as 
thine, O king ! ” 

“ Does thy God desire a sacrifice ? Let 
Him demand what He will, it shall be 
brought unto Him ! ” 

“ Obedience is better than burnt-offering, 
and a willing heart than the fat of rams,” 
replied Esaias. ^‘Jehovah abhors human 
sacrifice, and saith, ' Whoever sheddeth 
man’s blood, by man shall his blood be 
shed.’ ” 

Erna’s attendants told me,” said Baldas- 
ser, “ that thou hast recounted to them how 
a ruler had been cured of a grave malady by 


88 


THE THREE KINGS. 


washing seven times in a river in thy coun- 
try. And they say that there is a pool in 
the royal city of thy people, which is some- 
times troubled by a messenger from thy God, 
and that whoever first steps into the pool, is 
cured of whatever disease may afflict him.” 

It is true,” answered Esaias. “ The God 
of my fathers doeth great wonders, yet He 
is not always acknowledged.” 

“ In her wild singing, Erna expresses a 
wish to bathe in that river or pool,” said 
Baldasser. 

“O ye holy waters of Bethesda, and of 
Jordan,” exclaimed the Israelite, forgetting 
for a moment the presence of the king, in 
his rapt enthusiasm, might I but once more 
behold you ! might I but refresh my weary 
limbs in your waves ! ” 

“ Wouldst thou be willing to accompany me 
and Erna thither?” asked Baldasser;— “that 
is, if the journey will not injure the child.” 


THE THREE KINGS. 


89 


“ What ! Wilt thou go, O king ? ” asked 
Esaias, in surprise. Bethink you, the dis- 
tance is great, — the journey will be long. It 
is true that the Queen of Sheba once left her 
kingdom, to come and learn wisdom at the 
feet of Solomon ; but art thou sure that in 
thy absence thy people would not choose 
another king ? ” 

“ Be that as it may,” replied Baldasser ; 
“ what will not a father do for the sake of 
his beloved child ? Come, let us prepare for 
the journey at once.” 

Perinthes had listened to this dialogue 
with feelings of mingled envy and hope. 
Pride struggled hard in his breast with the 
love of life, when he found that the king and 
Esaias were about leaving the cave without 
thinking of him. He did not speak, but a 
heavy sigh burst from his oppressed bosom. 
The Israelite heard it, and paused. 

“O king!” he said, imploringly, “grant 
8 * 


90 


THE THREE KINGS. 


me yet one more favor! Accord to this 
Greek life and freedom, upon condition that 
he accompanies us on this journey. He 
knows the lands through which we must 
pass, and their speech, better than I do. He 
can therefore be of much service to us.” 

“ Be it so,” returned Baldasser, as he at 
once released Perinthes from his bonds. 

How incensed will be the priest Ma- 
muh,” thought the Greek, rejoicing to himself, 
to find his prey again snatched from his 
hands I Ye gods! I would that my back 
were already turned upon this barbarian 
camp ! ” 

He followed Baldasser and the Israelite, 
the boy with the torch leading the way. 
The king’s dwelling was already rebuilt, and 
all was quiet therein, for Erna, after long 
and violent convulsions, had just fallen 
asleep, utterly exhausted. Preparations for 
the journey were made without delay. 


THE THREE KINGS. 


91 


Many hands were employed in constructing 
a litter for the sick girl, suitable either to be 
drawn by horses, or carried by bearers. In 
this business, Perinthes was of much service, 
accustomed as he was to articles of conven- 
ience and luxury. Esaias in the meantime 
melted the gold which had been taken from 
the bag the Greek had carried with him in 
his attempted flight. He hammered and 
chiselled and cut the precious metal, also 
cutting some hard oak wood. But he in- 
formed no one of his purpose in doing so ; 
on the contrary, his labor itself was a secret. 
After three days, during which Erna’s con- 
dition was not improved, all was ready for 
the journey. 

The king, in a few cordial words, took 
leave of his people, with whom he had left 
a worthy vicegerent, or, if need should be, 
successor. The people thanked him for his 
care, and parted from him sorrowing, and 


92 


THE THREE KINGS. 


expressing the most ardent wishes for his 
welfare. Only Mamuh and the other priests 
kept apart, thus displaying their vexation at 
their king’s proceedings. ' 

Beside Baldasser, his daughter, and Esaias, 
the party consisted of a playmate of Erna’s, 
of her own age, two women, a boy, and six- 
teen stout German horsemen. 

They set out on a bright, clear morning, 
and directed their course toward the south- 
east. 




CHAPTER VI. 


ON THE WAY. 



HE journey had now continued for 


X about two months, and we once more 
meet Baldasser and his train, near the end 
of October. Their route, up to this time, 
had led them through the still almost undis- 
turbed forest solitudes of Europe, which had 
supplied the simple Germans with all the 
provisions necessary to them, — with game, 
acorns, and wild berries, as well as grass for 
their horses. The few inhabitants whom 
they met belonged to shepherd tribes, and 
received and entertained the wandering 
strangers most hospitably in their humble 
dwellings. 

The air, as they progressed, had grown 


93 


94 THE THREE KINGS. 

warmer and warmer, and at this time they 
felt nothing whatever of the chilling wintry 
blasts that were wont to blow over the 
marshy woods of Germany at the close of 
autumn. 

It was on a clear, sunny October day that 
the inhabitants of a certain little village, as 
they were diligently pursuing their labors in 
their fields, were surprised by seeing a sin- 
gular-looking procession emerge from a 
neighboring wood. Strange-looking men, 
of gigantic stature, clothed in rough skins, 
approached them, riding on huge horses 
with long manes and tails. They held long 
spears in their right hands, and had heavy 
stone battle-axes in their leathern girdles. 
Long hair, of a golden -yellow color, fell 
from their uncovered heads over their shoul- 
ders and upon their shaggy bear-skins. 
The peaceful villagers were about to take 
flight, when a new sight redoubled their 


THE THREE KINGS. 


95 


curiosity and arrested their steps. Women 
and children were seen among the approach- 
ing company surrounding a litter, upon which 
lay a young girl apparently sleeping. The 
little party halted on catching sight of the 
village, which was very prettily situated, and 
near which was a rather high hill, crowned 
with a partially ruined temple. 

The view amply compensated them for 
the brief interruption in their journey. For 
it was the first time that these Germans had 
ever seen stone dwellings, and architecture 
of any sort. For the first time they looked 
upon the colonnades and the lofty arches of 
a temple; for the first time they beheld 
trees whose green boughs were decked with 
rosy apples and golden pears. Countless 
vines, with their purple and white clusters, 
covered the hill-side; and below in the 
wide valley, a river, broad and deep, glis- 
tened in the sun ; little fishing-vessels rocked 


96 


THE THREE KINGS. 


upon its bosom, and the men who sat in 
them plied the oar with merry songs. All 
around were unfamiliar plants, with myriads 
of gay autumnal flowers, yellow, deep-red, 
and spotted grain, together with many other 
new and strange sights. 

“ Oh, how beautiful it is here ! ” exclaimed 
Esaias. Let us, O king, dismount and en- 
joy repose on this spot.” 

The king consented; but instead of gazing 
with his companions upon the beautiful land- 
scape, he gave his attention to his daughter, 
lifting her tenderly from the litter, and plac- 
ing her with care upon her couch of skins. 
After he had thus provided for her comfort, 
Baldasser turned to Esaias, and said in a low 
tone : 

My poor child will never see the Jordan, 
nor thy wonderful pool. See how pale and 
feeble, how still she lies there ! Every day 
of this journey has robbed her of a part of 


THE THREE KINGS. 


97 


her strength. And how patiently and un- 
complainingly she endures her sufferings ! 
Alas ! I would willingly see her dancing and 
singing again.” 

“ Tempt not Jehovah, the Lord our God ! ” 
replied Esaias, gravely. “ I assure thee 
\hat thy child will recover. It is true, Erna 
is somewhat exhausted by travelling through 
dark, marshy forests, and by the want of 
nourishment suitable to her condition. But 
I trust that, by God’s mercy, her coming 
into well-settled and cultivated countries 
will have a beneficial effect upon her.” 

“ May the gods grant it ! ” hovered upon 
the king’s lips, but remembering just at the 
right moment that such expressions always 
appeared to disquiet Esaias, he repressed the 
words. 

The Israelite straightway left the party, 
but soon returned, carrying a basket filled 
with purple and white grapes, pears, apples, 
9 ^ 


98 


THE THREE KINGS. 


and ripe plums. He had purchased these 
fruits for a trifle from the natives of the 
country, and now came and offered them to 
the king. As he was wont to do, Baldasser 
thought first of his daughter. He put the 
largest and sweetest of the grapes to Erna’s 
lips, and was delighted to see that she en- 
joyed them. 

“ Do they taste better than your acorns at 
home ? ” asked Esaias, with a smile, of the 
Germans, as they feasted upon the fruit. 

Only one of the little party wore no cheer- 
ful countenance. It was Perinthes. ' While 
the Germans regarded the village and the 
temple with looks of wondering admiration, 
he muttered, depreciatingly: 

“ Such an owl’s nest as this beautiful I 
What barbarism ! O my Ephesus, when will 
mine eyes behold thee once more ? ” 

Approaching the laborers in the fields, 
he inquired the name of their country and 


THE THREE KINGS. 


99 


that of the village, as well as the distance 
from Ephesus. Then he returned, scowling 
gloomily, to the travelling party, and drew 
Esaias aside. 

Did I not say that we were going too far 
eastward ? and now we have the Euxine on 
our right, and an interminable land-journey 
before us,” he said. 

“ Dost thou suppose that Erna could en- 
dure a voyage by sea ? ” asked Esaias. “ The 
rocking of the vessel would have heightened 
her malady to the greatest degree.” 

Well, and what then ? ” answered Pe- 
rinthes. “ What difference does it make, 
whether there be one girl more or less in 
the world?” and he bit his finger-nails wrath- 
fully. After a pause, he resumed : 

“ And how like children these red-haired 
savages act ! Such an outcry about a miser- 
able spot of ground, with an old, dilapidated 
temple, and a few sour grapes, pears, apples. 


100 


THE THREE KINGS. 


and plums ! O my Ephesus ! thy giant 
clusters, thy purple pomegranates, thy sweet 
figs and peaches, thy almonds and dates, and 
above all, thy temple of Diana, are the only 
things worth admiring in the world.” 

Esaias quit the company of the complain- 
ing Greek, went away, and returned after a 
longer absence than before, bringing from 
the village a large stone jar full of pure, 
new wine. 

“Thou wert wont to utter wisdom when 
the juice of barley had enlivened thee, O 
king!” he said to Baldasser. “Try now 
whether this beverage will not strengthen 
thy wavering courage, and give thee better 
hopes for Erna’s future.” 

Baldasser shook his head sadly, but tasted 
the wine, which was then passed around 
among the company. Even Erna was 
allowed a few drops, in order to refresh her 
weariness. It was not long before the bever- 


THE THREE KINGS. lOI 

age took effect upon all the party. Their 
exhaustion vanished, their fresh color re- 
turned, they moved and spoke less wearily. 
Even the lips and cheeks of the sick child 
lost their pallor, and at last, to her father’s 
great delight, she sat up erect. He, on his 
part, watched every motion of Erna’s with a 
loving and joyful expression. The child, 
holding the hand of her playmate Hermina, 
soon began to walk about and examine with 
curious interest the unfamiliar fruits and flow- 
ers that surrounded her. 

“ Oh, see, Erna ! ” cried Odo, Hermina’s 
brother, “ see that strange animal with the 
long ears ! ” 

It was an ass, which was coming up the 
hill, laden with two large baskets filled with 
corn. His mistress followed him on foot, 
and was as much astonished at the appear- 
ance of the group of strangers as her ani- 
mal was indifferent to them. She stood still 

9 * 


102 


THE THREE KINGS. 


to take a better view of them, and her patient 
bearer of burdens followed her example, 
taking advantage of the pause to crop some 
red thistle-blossoms and long spiny leaves 
that grew near. The king’s daughter and 
her two young companions watched him 
narrowly. Suddenly, however, they clung 
closely to each other, screaming, and ran 
away. Baldasser and his sturdy Germans, 
at the same instant, sprang up from the 
grass and seized their battle-axes. And at 
this threatening movement the woman, 
terrified, hurried away, and left her long- 
eared companion. There were only two 
persons who retained their composure, — 
Perinthes and Esaias. The former laughed 
loud and mockingly, the latter only smiled. 
And what was the cause of this general com- 
motion ? 

The monosyllable “y-a-a-ah” is short, 
and seemingly innocent enough. It ex- 


THE THREE KINGS. IO3 

presses, however, the whole language of the 
long-eared race. And it is with this word 
as with many other things, — its whole im- 
port cannot be learned at a moment. What 
a difference between the short written syl- 
lable, and the sound as delivered by the 
robust lungs of an ass ! And as the bom- 
bardier-beetle has only a little bluish vapor 
and a feeble report like a far-off shot, as a 
defence against its enemies, so, instead of 
horns, claws, and powerful teeth, the ass pos- 
sesses only his harsh, ear -piercing bray. 
This sound, so startling when heard for the 
first time and unexpectedly, was what had 
terrified not only the young Germans, but 
their elders. 

The fear of a renewal of Erna’s peculiar 
sufferings soon brought a grave, anxious 
expression to the face of Esaias. The 
sudden alarm indeed caused her to laugh 
hysterically, and to twitch and quiver in a 


104 


THE THREE KINGS. 


convulsive manner for a little while; but 
Esaias observed, as a favorable symptom, 
that the attack was of very short duration. 
It seemed, indeed, as though her malady 
was partially subdued by the ever-increasing 
curiosity inspired by this land of wonders. 
Scarcely had Herr Long-ears followed his 
mistress, and disappeared from the sight of 
the little party, before a troop of animals 
approached them, of most extraordinary 
form, and of a size such as they had never 
before seen. Even the monstrous aurochs 
was small, in comparison with the lofty, 
humped figures of the yellow camels, which 
proceeded at a leisurely pace, heavily laden, 
and thrusting their long necks with their 
small heads out before them. 

While Perinthes detained the camel-driv- 
ers to answer his questions, the wearied 
beasts, bending first their forelegs and then 
their hind legs, gently sunk upon the ground 


THE THREE KINGS. 


105 


to rest. The children gazed timidly at them 
from a distance; for they thought, if the 
small animal that had just gone had such a 
terrible voice, what a cry must these crea- 
tures possess that are so much larger ! It 
took Esaias, therefore, some time to per- 
suade Erna and the other children to venture 
near. 

The Lord is great and wise ! ” he said, 
pointing to the camels. “ He has given 
these beasts feet capable of travelling with- 
out pain over the burning sand; a palate 
that is satisfied with thistles and such other 
herbs as grow in desert countries; and a 
stomach which not only seldom complains 
of thirst, but which even possesses its own 
reservoir of water. His hump indicates his 
capability of bearing burdens ; and he has 
so mild a disposition, that when man’s ava- 
rice has imposed on him too heavy a burden, 
he only kneels and waits patiently until it is 


io6 


THE THREE KINGS. 


removed. And when blasting winds blow 
over the desert with their glowing breath, 
he buries his head in the sand, so as to 
cover his nostrils, and thus escapes destruc- 
tion.” 

After the caravan had passed on, Bal- 
dasser’s attention was directed toward the 
temple ; he approached it to examine it more 
closely, accompanied by Erna, who rejoiced 
his lately desponding spirit by showing a 
desire to see the ruin with him. Even in its 
present condition, this building was calcu- 
lated to excite the wonder and admiration 
of the rude Germans. 

The vaulted roofs re-echoed Baldasser’s 
tread. On passing into the rather obscure 
interior of the temple, a feeling of mysteri- 
ous awe oppressed him, and caused him to 
step slowly and almost timidly. Erna stole 
along like a shadow at his side. Suddenly 
and unexpectedly they found themselves 


THE THREE KINGS. 


107 


before a large stone image of Jupiter, in 
whose honor the temple had been erected. 
Both father and daughter were deeply im- 
pressed by this, to them, novel work of art. 
Dumb with wonder, they gazed long upon 
the grave and venerable countenance of the 
deity, rendered more majestic by its heavy 
beard; — its appearance so lifelike, though it 
was but cold stone. They marvelled at the 
drapery, so graceful and flowing; at the 
hands, one of which bore a thunderbolt — 
yet all carved in stone; at the eagle, near 
the feet of the god, which bore in its hooked 
beak, and in its talons, many similar thunder- 
bolts. Baldasser stood in awe-struck ex- 
pectancy, waiting for the unknown deity to 
move and to address him. 

Perinthes interrupted his reverie by ex- 
claiming : 

How awkwardly this Zeus is chiselled ! 
He is like one of our lusty water-carriers. 


io8 


THE THREE KINGS. 


rather than a god. The man that raised 
such an image of divinity as that must have 
been a miserable bungler.” 

“ How ? ” thought Baldasser ; “ this a god, 
yet like a water-carrier ? A god, and chis- 
elled by a bungler ? ” He shook his head, 
and turning from the stone image, passed 
out through the long colonnade into the 
open air. The moon was shining in the 
darkening horizon, gilding the little waves 
of the river that flowed through the valley.' 

“ Oh, see ! ” said Baldasser to Erna, “ our 
god up there is more majestic and mighty ! 
He is not confined to one seat, like this 
stone god, — his house never falls. He has 
accompanied us here, yet he never ceases to 
shine upon our German brethren at home. 
His countenance is ever friendly, nor can 
any king resemble him, much less can a 
water-carrier.” 

“ Esaias says,” replied Erna, “ that He who 


THE THREE KINGS. 


109 


made our moon -god is still greater and 
more glorious.’" 

“ Esaias ! ” repeated Baldasser, ha ! where 
is he? Esaias!” he called aloud, ^‘Esaias! 
where art thou ? ” 

“ Here, my lord I ” answered the Israelite 
from without the colonnade. 

“ Why art thou not with us ? ” asked the 
king. ** Wilt thou not enter the temple ? ” 

” No, my lord I ” replied Esaias. “ God 
forbid that I should, of my own free will, 
enter the temple of a heathen god, and so 
be defiled.” 

“ Defiled ! ” repeated Baldasser, with sur- 
prise, looking first at his own clothing, then 
surveying his daughter from head to foot. 

“ Thou errest, Hebrew I ” he said, there 
is no trace of defilement.” 

My soul would be defiled,” said Esaias, 
“ if, contrary to our law, I should go into a 
heathen temple.” 


10 


no 


THE THREE KINGS. 


“ Thy soul ? ” said Baldasser, inquiringly. 

I understand thee not.” 

“Our law forbids to eat unclean beasts, to 
live with unclean persons, and to honor false 
gods, or to go into their temples.” 

“ Am I an unclean man ? ” asked Bal- 
dasser. 

“ If thou wilt hear the truth, — yes ! ” 
answered Esaias. 

“ Is my child, too, unclean ? ” 

“ Thy child also,” said Esaias. “ He who 
believes not in the God of Israel is unclean, 
and the Hebrew is commanded to avoid close 
association with him.” 

“ But thou hast lived very near to us, and 
thou hast helped and restored my child,” 
said Baldasser. 

“ For this I must undergo purification in 
the temple of Jehovah.” 

“ He is a fool ! ” cried Perinthes, wrath- 
fully, interrupting the conversation, — “a 


THE THREE KINGS. 


Ill 


proud, conceited, superstitious fool, who 
thinks himself better than I and thou. I 
wonder at thy forbearance, king; in thy 
place, I would long ago have silenced this 
Hebrew’s blasphemous mouth. As soon as 
he no longer needs thy aid, he will forsake 
thee, and leave thee to thy fate.” 

“ If my child may be healed through the 
Hebrew, or by his God, I will willingly bear 
reproach,” answered Baldasser, gently. “We 
have endured much more than that already.” 

“ And dare I deny the faith that I learned 
in my childhood ? ” asked Esaias, in an 
apologetic tone. 

“ Let us leave this subject,” said Baldas- 
ser, “ and seek repose for the night. Erna 
appears wearied and sleepy. Where shall 
we find a safe, sheltered place ? ” 

“Do not give thyself any anxiety about 
that,” said Esaias ; “ thy child will no longer 
be obliged to sleep in cold, damp woods. 


1 12 


THE THREE KINGS. 


amid unhealthy vapors. She shall hence- 
forth pass the night under better roofs than 

V 

the foliage of oaks, and between walls that 
afford surer protection than the skins of 
beasts.” 

He kept his word. The inhabitants of the 
village hospitably received the strangers into 
their houses, offering them food and drink 
in abundance. 

During the night, Esaias was awakened by 
something that stirred under his head. He 
had taken for pillow a bundle in which were 
the valuables he had prepared for Baldasser’s 
journey, and the remaining pieces of gold. 
Instead of giving an alarm, the Israelite lay 
silent and motionless. It was evident that 
some one was trying to remove the parcel ; 
but the efforts were suspended for a few 
moments, then resumed, and afterward, on 
proving unavailing, were at last abandoned. 
And now Esaias, listening, became aware 


THE THREE KINGS. 


that the thief was trying to make a hole 
in the leathern pouch that contained the 
precious bundle. Just as the point of the 
sharp tool reached its contents, he dealt so 
heavy a blow upon the hand that used the 
instrument, as to make the latter fall ringing 
to the ground. Upon this, he seized the 
hand of the thief, and held it firmly. The 
adroitness and agility of his opponent, 
liowever, overcame the Hebrew’s superior 
strength. Like an eel, the thief writhed 
from the grasp of his captor, and in the next 
instant, almost without a sound, had slipped 
out of the chamber. 

‘'That soft hand belonged to no Ger- 
man,” murmured Esaias, “ nor do the Ger- 
mans^ steal, though they may rob and mur- 
der. Our host, or any of his household, — 
no ! they would not so abuse the sacred 
rights of hospitality. Perinthes ! ah, the 

artful and malicious Greek ! it is he who 
10^ H 


II4 THE THREE KINGS. 

would provide himself with money for travel- 
ling ! That is the reason why he refused to 
sleep here in the house with the Germans 
and myself, choosing, contrary to his cus- 
tom, a bed in the stable among the horses. 
Hark ! what a noise in the stable ! Why do 
the horses neigh and stamp so loudly ? Can 
it be that he fears to have betrayed himself, 
and means to make his escape even without 
money ? But why does he cry out so ? 
What is the matter, Perinthes ? ” he asked, 
calling through the opening that did duty as 
a window. 

“A thief was in the stable, and would 
have stolen the horses,^’ answered Perinthes, 
with assumed indignation. “And when I 
would have taught him a good lesson with 
my dagger, he snatched it from me and 
fled.’* 

“ I pity thee for thy fright,” replied Esaias, 
laughing. “ Why didst thou prefer sleeping 


THE THREE KINGS. 11$ 

in the stable to remaining here like myself, 
safe among honest Germans ? ” 

And turning away from the window, he 
said to himself: 

“Thou canst not ensnare me with thy 
cunning, excellent Perinthes ! thou wouldst 
have thy dagger back again. It is well that 
I can draw the serpent’s sting so easily.” 

He sought the dagger on the floor, and 
carefully concealed it in the folds of his robe. 
Perinthes congratulated himself in silence, 
when, on the next day, Esaias did not allude 
to the night’s adventure. 


CHAPTER VII. 


AN ORIENTAL CITY. 

T he further southward the travellers 
journeyed, the more lovely they found 
the earth to be. And now they had reached 
the favored land of Persia. 

The palm raised its canopy of broad 
leaves under a sapphire sky. No tiny, bit- 
ter acorns lay on the ground beneath it, but 
large and luscious fruit. More and more 
spicy, sweet, and juicy seemed all the fruits, 
more and more brilliant the colors of blos- 
soms, butterfles, beetles, serpents, lizards, 
birds, and all other animals. What life and 
animation in the forests ! What singing, 
chattering, tumbling, screaming, whistling, 
roaring, on all sides! Whichever way the 

ii6 


THE THREE KINGS. 


II7 


eye might turn, there was nothing but life, 
beauty, and grace. What a contrast to the 
dark, silent woods of Germany ! The sun 
here afforded more light and heat, the moon 
shone more bright, and the stars twinkled 
more charmingly. But the lightning blazed, 
too, more luridly ; the thunder rolled, the 
hurricane raged more fearfully, the rain fell 
more wildly. And under the flowery carpet 
of the plain lurked the deadly venom of 
the brilliant snake, the dull scorpion, and 
the tiny, despised spider and ant. And 
here, along with the manifold gifts for use 
and pleasure in a hot climate, stalked the 
plague, the small-pox, the leprosy ; and 
here dwelt a slothful and corrupt race. 

By means of the journey, the constant 
exposure to pure, fresh air, the reviving 
power of a warmer sunshine, and enjoyment 
of digestible and wholesome food, Erna, if 
not yet freed from her malady, had become 


Il8 THE THREE KINGS. 

much stronger. Her attacks, announced by 
contortions, dancing, laughing, and singing, 
still returned with more or less violence at 
certain hours of the day. But the child 
grew surprisingly, and evidently gained 
much in physical, but still more in mental 
strength. 

Baldasser and his companions one day 
passed through a very extensive wood, and 
when they had left it, with its many strange 
inhabitants, behind, they saw before them a 
city, larger and more imposing than any 
they had yet beheld. It lay in the midst of 
a plain, surrounded by gently swelling hills, 
and, like almost all large cities, on the banks 
of a considerable stream. They learned 
from those they met that the city was 
named Ispahan, and was the residence of a 
powerful Oriental king. 

It was the first time that the travellers had 
seen such a city, and both Esaias and Perin- 


THE THREE KINGS. II9 

thes thought it important that Baldasser 
should enter the city as a king, and greet 
his royal brother. To this end the party 
halted at some distance from the gates of 
Ispahan, and formed a regular procession. 
Having first cleansed and rubbed their 
raven-black steeds until their hides rivalled 
polished ebony, the Germans turned their 
attention to their own persons. Clean white 
clothing, of linen, fine hemp, or wool, was 
unpacked and put on. Over this they 
bound their carefully cleaned skins of the 
deer, the wolf, and the bear, so as to form 
mantles, resting upon their shoulders and 
falling down their backs. Following the 
custom of the country through which they 
were passing, they had fastened leathern 
sandals to their feet with small thongs. 
Their long, auburn hair, descending in flow- 
ing locks about their faces, furnished them 
a natural adornment. 


120 


THE THREE KINGS. 


And if the men of Germany formed a pic- 
ture of knightly strength and dignity, the 
two women and the children far surpassed 
them in grace and beauty. Erna, with her 
pure complexion lighted up by a soft and 
varying color, seemed like a delicate being 
from another sphere. King Baldasser had 
exchanged his dark bear-skin for the striped 
skin of a leopard which he had chanced to 
kill on the journey. As he was about 
mounting his impatient horse, to take his 
place at the head of the little procession, 
the Israelite approached, bearing something 
that glittered and shone in the sunlight. 

“ Bow thy kingly head, my lord,” he said, 
“ and receive this ornament, for if thou 
wouldst be received and honored in these 
countries as a king, thou must not appear 
without thy crown.” 

Thus saying, he set upon Baldasser’s head 
a many-pointed circlet of gold. 


THE THREE KINGS. I2I 

“ It weighs heavily, like all earthly 
crowns,” he continued, smiling, seeing that 
the king shook his head rather impatiently, 
“ yet must thou be content to bear this slight 
burden.” 

When Baldasser, having mounted his 
horse, reached for his accustomed lance, 
Esaias gave him, instead, a gracefully carved 
staff of oaken wood, with handle and tip of 
gold, and ornamented with several rings of 
the same precious metal. 

“ Before this sceptre,” he said, “ the peo- 
ple of Asia will bow more reverently than 
they would before thy German lance, though 
the weapon may inflict deeper wounds.” 

Baldasser submitted to the Israelite’s di- 
rections, and Perinthes at last discovered 
what Esaias had made so secretly in the 
German camp, and carried with him so care- 
fully hidden throughout the journey. 

And now the simple procession again 


II 


122 


THE THREE KINGS. 


started. What marvels of architecture aston- 
ished their eyes, as they approached the 
city ! Lofty domes and cupolas towered 
like enormous palm-trees toward the sky ; 
and a labyrinth of streets, lined with count- 
less houses, involved them in curious per- 
plexity. But the crowning wonder of all were 
the bridges, with their wide arches, which 
spanned the river, and spared the Germans 
the trouble of fording its waters. 

The travellers met but few of the brownish- 
yellow dwellers of the city in the streets, but 
there was quite a great crowd collected near 
the royal palace. In the large open square 
before it, a multitude of upturned faces met 
their view, and a loud murmur, as of a 
gigantic bee-hive, filled the air. It was with 
difficulty that Baldasser and his retinue 
pressed forward. Those nearest them, in- 
deed, made way respectfully, while survey- 
ing the strangers with looks of curiosity; 


THE THREE KINGS. 


123 


but the throng behind pressed eagerly for- 
ward, to see in their turn the new wonder. 
Suddenly arose a deafening clang of many 
drums, large and small, cymbals, trumpets, 
and sackbuts, causing the German horses to 
rear madly, and giving their riders no little 
trouble in restraining them. The crowd fell 
back in terror, and the more quickly because, 
at this moment, a number of swift-footed 
Persians ran in among them with long bam- 
boos, distributing smart blows with consider- 
able energy. These agtive officials seemed 
half disposed to exercise their discipline 
upon the new comers, but a quick, menacing 
motion of the German lances made them 
relinquish the idea as quickly as it was 
formed. 

The wonder of the Germans rose at every 
moment higher and higher. To a motley 
throng of musicians, with their marvellous 
trumpets and drums and other instruments. 


124 


THE THREE KINGS. 


succeeded a train of moving houses, or 
towers, rising high above the heads of the 
multitude. As these approached, it became 
apparent that each of the structures was 
borne upon the back of a gigantic monster, 
beside which the tallest camel would appear 
small. These animals had immense heads, 
with long probosces, immense ears, and a 
pair of tusks of astonishing length and thick- 
ness; and most wonderful of all, a man, black 
as ebony, sat with outstretched limbs on the 
neck of each ! These drivers were armed 
with short lances, with which they urged on 
the unwieldy creatures. The^wooden towers, 
which were bound upon the dark-gray backs 
of the animals, were crowded with similar 
black figures, looking down upon the amazed 
Germans with inquisitive eyes. The mighty 
monsters passed on, setting down their heavy 
feet with the utmost lightness and rapidity. 

The wonder of Baldasser and his com- 


THE THREE KINGS. 


125 


panions rose however to its greatest height 
when, after the elephants had passed, another 
strange spectacle presented itself to their 
sight. A second throng of musicians, sol- 
diers and servants, approached, followed by 
a pair of tawny lions, harnessed to a low but 
richly ornamented chariot, and led by two 
gigantic Moors. In the chariot, a Moorish 
king sat crosslegged under a canopy which 
was decorated, like the monarch himself, 
with pearls, sparkling stones, peacock’s 
feathers, and gold. The crown that orna- 
mented the king’s curly head, shone with 
costly diamonds ; and the large white pearls 
which served as ear-drops, showed the more 
plainly on account of the black skin behind 
them. On one shoulder of the swarthy 
monarch sat an ugly little ape, and on the 
other a gaudy parrot, both incessantly chat- 
tering and screaming. Two negroes, stand- 
ing behind the king, fanned him constantly 

II * 


126 


THE THREE KINGS. 


with large fans of peacock’s feathers. The 
royal chariot was surrounded and followed 
by many more black servants, musicians, 
and soldiers. 

It would be difficult to say which of the 
two kings, so different in color^ in clothing, 
and in appearance, felt most surprise at the 
encounter. The attendants of his Moorish 
Majesty shared the wonder of their lord, and 
expressed it to one another by signs, looks, 
and words. The Germans, on their part, 
though not less struck, remained as silent 
and immovable upon their lofty steeds as 
though carved from stone. The German 
king, indeed, lacked the lavish display of 
wealth and magnificence which surrounded 
his royal brother; but there was sufficient to 
atone for this want, in his dignified and com- 
manding mien, and the gigantic stature of 
his followers. The women and children, 
with their pure and delicately tinted com- 


THE THREE KINGS. 


127 


plexions, were the objects of particular con- 
sideration- with the swarthy troop. The 
Moorish king, whose countenance was cer- 
tainly anything but attractive, opened his 
thick, red lips, and shouted a command to 
the leaders of the lions, to stop their ani- 
mals, that he might take a longer and closer 
survey of the strangers. 

It so happened that one of the lions, hav- 
ing received a blow on the nose from his 
keeper, opened his jaws, exposing his long 
fangs, and rough, blood-red tongue, and gave 
vent to a short, sullen growl, with which the 
air resounded. The beast repeated the growl 
longer and more vehemently, when Baldas- 
ser’s horse reared in affright, and those of 
his followers shrank and trembled at the un- 
accustomed sound. The keeper punished 
the lion by a second blow, heavier than the 
first, from an iron staff, and the beast testi- 
fied his increasing wrath by a deafening roar, 


128 


THE THREE KINGS. 


and a savage lashing of his tail. The noise 
was so fearful, that the Germans had need 
of all their courage to maintain their out- 
ward quiet and composure. The Asiatics 
and Africans, on the contrary, as well as the 
elephants, uttered shrill cries of terror, many 
of them taking speedy flight. The lion be- 
coming at every moment more enraged, and 
its great four-legged neighbors manifest- 
ing much fear and uneasiness, the keeper 
hastened to throw over his charge a strong 
net, which he had held in reserve, and which 
was intended to render the beast harmless. 

In this, however, he was not successful, for 
the furious beast rent the net fiercely with 
his claws, and rising on his hind legs in 
order to free himself from his remaining 
bonds, he caused the chariot to rock vio- 
lently backward and forward. At the Moor- 
ish king’s loud call for help, a number of his 
followers attacked the lion with their wea- 


THE THREE KINGS. 


129 


pons, but quickly fled, or fell to the ground, 
scattered like spray before his vigorous teeth 
and claws. In the wild confusion that en» 
sued, Baldasser imagined for a moment, that 
the great yellow cat had sprung up behind 
him on his horse ; but on turning quickly, 
he found that the agile leaper was not the 
lion, but the black king, who clung tightly 
to him, and craved his protection with im- 
ploring looks and gestures. But in another 
instant, when Baldasser would have tried to 
reassure him, he sprang to the ground 
again, even more quickly than he had 
mounted. Only too soon did the German 
king learn the cause of this sudden move- 
ment. For, with one terrible bound, the 
lion had fastened himself to the neck of his 
noble steed, burying his sharp fangs in the 
flesh, so that the horse plunged and snorted 
madly. Retaining his self-possession, Bal- 
dasser struck the lion in the eye with the 


I 


130 


THE THREE KINGS. 


point of his sceptre, so that the animal, 
•uttering a roar of pain, let go his hold. 
The king instantly snatched his stone battle- 
axe from his girdle, raised himself aloft in 
his stirrups, and let the heavy weapon de- 
scend upon the head of the doomed beast. 
It was evident, from the fearful crash, that 
the skull was broken by the blow. The lion 
fell lifeless to the ground, and groaned out 
his life under the lances of the German 
warriors. 

Baldasser now had leisure to look around ; 
of course, his first thought was of his child. 
What he most feared was indeed the case : 
Erna was moving her arms convulsively, 
laughing and singing by turns. The African 
king was near her, trying to hide himself 
under the furs that covered the litter, trem- 
bling with terror, his crown having been lost 
in the tumult. Quiet having been gradually 
restored, he again took his place in his 











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THE THREE KINGS. 131 

chariot, to which two horses were now har- 
nessed, instead of the lions. The scattered 
procession was brought once more into line, 
the music re-commenced, and Baldasser, 
having dismounted from his bleeding horse, 
at a sign from the Moorish king to take his 
place beside the latter in his chariot, now 
proceeded, followed by his Germans^ toward 
the palace where the king of Persia awaited 
his brother monarchs. 

It must here be mentioned, that at the 
moment of the greatest danger, Perinthes, 
following the Moorish king with his eagle 
eyes, had seen the costly crown fall from 
the head of the terrified monarch. At the 
risk of his life he had seized the precious 
jewel under the very feet of the terrified, 
trampling horses, and was about concealing 
it in the folds of his garment, when he 
found himself observed by the Israelite, 
Esaias. 


132 THE THREE KINGS. 

“ Perinthes,” said the latter, with a smile; 
*‘the crown becomes thee as little as this 
sceptre does me,” holding up the ornamental 
wand which Baldasser had cast away during 
the struggle with the lion, and Esaias had 
picked up. “ Let us restore them to their 
rightful owners.” 

Perinthes could have killed the Israelite, 
and perhaps would have done so, had he 
been in possession of his dagger. Mutter- 
ing curses, he reluctantly followed Esaias, 
who hastened to restore the sceptre to Bal- 
dasser. With bitterness only half concealed 
by assumed reverence, but with many obse- 
quious words, he surrendered the diadem to 
the Moorish king. 

King Melchior will reward thee, O white 
man ! ” said the Moor, displaying two rows 
of glittering white teeth behind his red lips, 
as he replaced the crown upon his head. 
“ What is thy name ? ” 


THE THREE KINGS. 


133 


** My name, O mighty ruler, is Perinthes,” 
returned the Greek, in an abject tone; “I am 
the interpreter of the white king.” 

“ It is well,” replied Melchior. “ My eyes 
will find thee again, and the sunshine of my 
favor shall light upon thee.” 

At the entrance of the palace, while the 
yellow king Caspar welcomed his dark bro- 
ther with royal ceremony, Baldasser turned 
to the Israelite, and said, with deep feeling : 

Esaias ! I commit to thee the protection 
of my child and the women. Tell my men 
to take care of my faithful horse, and of the 
healing of his wounds.” 

The king was prevented from any further 
communication with Esaias by King Caspar, 
who addressed him with compliments upon 
his bravery, and inquired as to the situation 
and welfare of his distant realm. It need 
scarcely be said, that all conversation among 


12 


134 the three kings. 

the three kings was carried on through in- 
terpreters. 

It was quite evident that Baldasser, in his 
simple attire, and with his small retinue, 
commanded more respect than the Moorish 
king with all his splendor and his countless 
attendants. 

The barbarian king and his party were 
provided with a sumptuous suite of apart- 
ments in Caspar’s palace. The latter was 
much elated by the thought that two kings, 
one from the far-off north, and one from the 
southern land of Africa, had come to visit 
him, — an event which would ever be mem- 
orable in the annals of his country, and 
which would reflect the highest honor upon 
his reign. 


CHAPTER VIIL 


ASTROLOGY. 



RNA thought herself in a land of 


wonders. All that surrounded her 


was new and incomprehensible. Different 
from those at home were all the trees and 
plants, the flowers and fruits ; different, all 
the animals ; different the people, their cloth- 
ing, their habitations, their manners and 
customs. She marvelled at the high, firm 
walls of polished marble that enclosed her 
room ; at the air turned to stone, yet still 
transparent — the glass ; at the soft, yielding, 
wonderfully shining silken stuffs, that were 
used in such lavish profusion about her 
couch, and for the clothing of her new 
attendants. She watched with wondering 


136 THE THREE KINGS. 

eyes the agile and comical antics of what 
seemed an ugly child covered all over with 
hair, — an ape; and admired the brilliant 
feathers of an Indian parrot, that screamed 
on his golden perch, and thrust forth his 
large hooked beak to beg for food. But 
more wonderful than all else was a little 
black boy who was placed among Erna’s 
retinue, and was the object of inexhaustible 
curiosity to the Germans. It seemed to 
them impossible that his color could be 
natural, and Erna’s female attendants sub- 
jected the little fellow to numerous wash- 
ings and rubbings, in order to ascertain the 
truth; to all of which he submitted with 
laughing good humor. The same experi- 
ment was tried upon the yellowish-brown 
skin of an Asiatic waiting-maid, and of 
course with as little success. While Erna 
passed her time partly in her rooms and 
partly in the magnificent palace-gardens, in 


THE THREE KINGS. 


137 


ever varied amusements, the three kings 
employed themselves in hunting, or in watch- 
ing combats between animals, or of men 
with animals ; sometimes the Asiatics and 
Africans would try their strength against 
each other ; but in such contests, both found 
themselves outdone by the Germans. 

Day after day passed in these and similar 
diversions, until Baldasser began to weary 
of them. 

“Let us continue our journey,” he said to 
Esaias. “ Did I leave my country and my 
people to spend my days here in idle amuse- 
ments? Arise, O Hebrew! conduct me to 
thy fatherland; bring me to those waters 
that are to restore health to my child and 
happiness to my life.” 

“ I hear thy commands with joy, O king,” 
answered Esaias. “ We may depart to-mor- 
row morning, to accomplish the last — and 
least — portion of our journey. Acquaint 
12* 


138 


THE THREE KINGS. 


thy royal host with thine intention, and let 
us make our preparations without delay.” 

When, in accordance with the counsel of 
the Hebrew, the king gave Caspar notice of 
his intended departure, the latter, after a fruit- 
less attempt to induce him to remain yet 
longer, said: 

“ Thy will be done, my kingly brother ! 
Let me first inquire of the stars, whether 
thy journey will be attended with a happy 
result.” 

^‘Of the stars?” repeated Baldasser, in 
astonishment ; “ do the stars of thy country 
speak ? ” 

“ Not so,” replied Caspar. “ But there is a 
secret science — that of Astrology — by which 
the initiated may read the future, with at least 
tolerable accuracy, in the stars. I have ap- 
plied myself for some years to the study of 
this science, and I know no greater pleasure 
than that of reading the bright stars in the 


THE THREE KINGS. 


139 


heavens. Every distinguished man, every 
king or ruler, receives at his birth a star, the 
position and course of which indicates the 
good or ill fortune of him who is born under 
it. Tell me, my brother, the region of the 
sky under which thy kingdom lies, the year, 
the day, and the hour of thy birth, that I 
may seek thy star in the heavens.” 

Baldasser was about to reply, that he could 
not answer any but the first inquiry, when 
Melchior, who was present, interrupted the 
colloquy by saying to Caspar : 

My royal brother, of what service is it to 
mortals to inquire into the future, seeing that 
it is not in their power to change it in the 
least particular? Astrology, therefore, seems 
to me of less moment than the discovery of 
the philosopher’s stone, which is the chief 
object of my desires, the wonderful stone 
which has the power of conferring immor- 
tality on its possessor. I acknowledge that 


140 


THE THREE KINGS. 


this quest is the motive of my visit here; I 
have hoped to receive some aid from thee, 
or from thy wise men.” 

^‘This also will I ask of the stars,” said 
Caspar, “whether thou mayst attain thine 
object here, and how. Let us, to-night, 
ascend my watch-tower, and summon all my 
astrologers.” 

The night came, cloudless and still. On 
the flat roof of the highest tower of the 
royal dwelling stood a circle of long-bearded 
magi, clothed in white garments, impatiently 
awaiting the arrival of the three kings. When 
at last they ascended the winding stairway 
and came upon the roof, the magi prostrated 
themselves before them. 

“ Hail ! all hail to our mighty king and 
his royal guests ! ” they cried, in chorus. 
“The heavens themselves rejoice over this 
conjunction of lofty potentates ; a new star 
of wondrous magnitude and of purest light 


THE THREE KINGS. I4I 

has appeared. He who is born under it is 
destined to be the fourth in this glorious 
Union, that the morning and the evening, 
noon and midnight, may be joined in friendly 
harmony ! ” 

“Where? where is the new star?” in- 
quired Caspar, eagerly. 

The magi pointed to the western sky, 
where indeed shone a new and brilliant 
luminary. 

“ Behold it,” they said. “ Happy the land 
and the nation over which it has arisen, — 
happy will they be, under the rule of their 
new-born king ! ” 

“ What is the country called, which lies in 
that direction ? ” inquired Caspar. 

The science of Geography was but little 
known in those days. Some named one 
kingdom, some another. Perinthes, who 
with Esaias was in attendance upon Bal- 
dasser, boldly averred that the new star 


142 


THE THREE KINGS. 


could be nowhere but above Ionia, in Asia 
Minor, where stood the renowned city of 
Ephesus. But Esaias said : 

‘^The Almighty God, who made heaven 
and earth, and all that in them is, by the 
word of His power, promised my forefather, 
Abraham, that in him should all the nations 
of the earth be blessed. It is true that He 
had created the first man after His own 
image, and placed him in a delightful region, 
where he might have lived happy and im- 
mortal.” 

“Immortal!” interrupted Melchior. • “Ha! 
was the first man, then, in possession of the 
philosopher’s stone ? ” 

“He possessed more than that,” replied 
Esaias, — “ the grace and the favor of our 
God ! But thankless man desired to make 
himself like God, — the creature to rival the 
Creator.” 

“ It was the Titans,” Perinthes interrupted, 


THE THREE KINGS. 


143 


With a sneer, “ who would have stormed 
heaven, and snatched Jupiter from his 
throne ! ” 

“ Peace, with thy superstitious fables ! ” 
said Esaias, ” of which thou thyself hast 
often spoken to me with incredulity. Jeho- 
vah punished the first human beings,” con- 
tinued he, “for their ingratitude and pre- 
sumption, by driving them from Paradise, 
and pronouncing upon them the sentence of 
a life of labor, to be ended by death. For 
when once sin had entered the world, death 
of necessity followed ; otherwise, men would 
have rushed, without fear or restraint, into 
ever-increasing wickedness and misery.” 

“And what became of the philosopher’s 
stone ? ” asked Melchior ; “ did the first man 
guard it with so little care as to lose it ? ” 

“ He did, indeed, through sin, lose the 
philosopher’s stone,” replied the Hebrew, 
“which is none other than the image and 


144 


THE THREE KINGS. 


likeness of God. But Jehovah has promised 
that a man shall rise from the seed of Abra- 
ham, who shall restore that likeness to earth. 
For him, the Anointed One, the Saviour, 
my people wait in faith, and with longing 
desire ; already have they beheld the fulfil- 
ment of that which our father Jacob prophe- 
sied before his death.” 

“ Prophesied ? ” repeated Caspar. ** Was 
he able to look into the future ? ” 

“ Verily,” replied Esaias, “ do we possess 
many books in which the future is foretold ; 
and a large part of these prophecies have 
been fulfilled, Hear what our father Jacob 
said in his vision : ‘ The sceptre shall not 
depart from Judah, nor a law-giver from be- 
tween his feet, until Shiloh come ; and unto 
him shall the gathering of the people be.’ 
The sceptre /las departed from Judah; for 
King Herod is a descendant of Esau,” said 
Esaias, mournfully, “ and my people are 


THE THREE KINGS. 


145 


under the power of the Romans; — the time 
is fulfilled that the Messiah should appear. 
Welcome, thou glorious Star! ” he exclaimed, 
stretching out his arms toward the sky; 
“welcome, thou new-born King of my peo- 
ple ! to Thee shall the gathering of the peo- 
ple be ! Thou wilt cause Israel once more 
to dwell under her own vine and fig-tree, 
free and powerful and great, as in the days 
of David and of Solomon I “ 

The kings and the astrologers stood in 
silence around the Israelite, who had fallen 
on his knees, and, still extending his arms 
toward Heaven, was absorbed in half audible 
prayer. Dark and silent beneath them lay 
the great city, with its countless dwellings. 
Scarcely distinguishable, the river wound in 
and out under the shadows of night : but so 
much the more sublime and entrancing was 
the illimitable firmament, with its myriad 

worlds of light, that shone with undimmed 
13 K 


146 THE THREE KINGS. 

lustre from afar, rejoicing the hearts of men 
with presentiments of a blessed though 
mysterious future. 

All in silence yielded themselves for a 
time to its pure and holy influence. Caspar 
at length said, turning to Baldasser : 

“It is thy intention, my brother, to visit 
the land of Judaea ? ” 

“Yes, my brother,” replied Baldasser. 
“According to the account of Esaias, that 
land possesses waters of wonderful healing 
power, from which I hope for the restoration 
of my daughter’s health.” 

“ I should not be unwilling to accompany 
thee,” Caspar continued. “ I am sure, in the 
first place, that I should meet with many 
adventures, in which I should be glad of a 
companion as valiant as thou art, my bro- 
ther. Then, I would like to see this new- 
born king, and his father, who must cer- 
tainly be a great monarch himself, and whose 


THE THREE KINGS. 


147 


friendship might prove of the greatest use to 
me and to my kingdom. And besides, I 
long to see those prophetic books, of which 
thy interpreter has spoken. I would learn 
from them something more of the future. 
What sayest thou, my royal brother Mel- 
chior?” 

“ That I would gladly make one of the 
company,” replied the African king. “ I 
know that the difference between the road 
through Judaea, and that by which I came, is 
not very great, as to distance, and I shall be 
glad of a variation in the route. And, more- 
over, I hope for something greater. If the 
Hebrew has not deceived us, the new-born 
king, or his father, must be in possession of 
the philosopher’s stone; and perhaps, by 
paying a great sum, I may obtain it.” 

*‘Well,” rejoined Caspar. “Together, then, 
let us go in quest of this philosopher’s stone. 
But we will travel as wise men, not as kings. 


148 


THE THREE KINGS. 


I have long desired to lay aside for a while 
the oppressive burden of royalty, and to try 
life without crown or sceptre. As magi, 
too, we may journey more rapidly and con- 
veniently than as kings. Were we to arrive 
among the Jews with all our guards and 
attendants, they might fear that we came as 
enemies, and call upon the Romans against 
us. Those Romans ! I fear them above all 
else, for were they to learn that we are 
kings, they would surely seize us, and take 
possession of our kingdoms.” 

Esaias, ever watchful, observed that at 
these words the countenance of the Greek 
suddenly lighted up with a cunning and tri- 
umphant smile. 

I will send back my retinue,” said Mel- 
chior, ‘'and retain only two or three ser- 
vants.” 

“ I intend to do the same,” said Caspar. 

“ I cannot separate, either from my child, 
or from my people,” Baldasser said. 


THE THREE KINGS. 


149 


“ Nor needest thou to do so, my brother,” 
replied Caspar, “ But thou mayst divide thy 
followers into small companies, and thus 
avoid all unnecessary display.” 

To this, Baldasser consented, and it was 
arranged that they should set forth on the 
second day after. 


13 


CHAPTER IX. 


THE ATTACK. 



HE three kings journeyed across the 


X region of Asia Minor. Caspar and 
Melchior, having laid aside all the insignia 
of royalty, their silken robes, precious stones 
and gold, were clothed in the usual garb of 
magi, or ‘‘wise men.” The simple golden 
circlet, and the sceptre of Baldasser, together 
with his panther-skin, were stored among 
the baggage of the Israelite ; his attire, with 
these exceptions, was too little conspicuous 
to need any other changes. Melchior’s horse 
was white ; Caspar had chosen a small, swift- 
footed brown horse ; and that of Baldasser 
was, as we already know, black. Im- 
mediately behind the kings rode their three 


THE THREE KINGS. 151 

interpreters, and these were followed at a 
little distance by as many soldiers, repre- 
sentatives of all the then known divisions 
of the earth, — Europe, Asia, and Africa. 

Everything has two sides,” Caspar began. 
“As king, I often suffered from weariness, 
and from loathing of even the rarest dain- 
ties. I was subject to fits of ill-humor, 
during which nothing could cheer me, or 
give me pleasure. As a philosopher, I find 
myself contented and happy, and I know 
not why. I have a good appetite, and can 
eat food which formerly I would not have 
deigned to touch. All this is the bright 
side. But there is quite another view : no 
one keeps off the flies and other troublesome 
insects from me ; the sun shines full in my 
face ; I am stiff and uncomfortable from our 
long rides, and cannot have a quiet room 
and a soft bed to rest upon, no matter how 
fatigued I may be. If only I am compen- 


152 


THE THREE KINGS. 


sated for all these privations, — if I may but 
return home better acquainted with the 
future, I shall be well content.” 

“ Ugh ! ” said King Melchior, shaking him- 
self “ How cold these northern countries 
are ! I am almost chilled enough to turn 
white, like my royal brother from Europe. 
The sun seems to have lost all its heat ! 
Ugh!” 

Here, my brother,” said Baldasser, loosen- 
ing his bear-skin mantle, and throwing it over 
the shoulders of the Moorish king. “ Thou 
wilt do me a great kindness if thou wilt 
make use of my cloak. I feel as if I must 
steam, as my horse does ; he is as little ac- 
customed to heat as is his master. Permit me, 
my brothers, to halt here for a little while, 
and to see my child. There is neither town 
nor village near us now, so that we may 
call our party together without exciting sus- 
picion. I should like to inquire whether all 


THE THREE KINGS. I53 

have passed the city near which our road 
led, some hours ago, without attracting the 
observation of its Roman garrison.” 

Caspar dismounted, complaining that his 
limbs were quite stiffened. He sought a 
well-shaded, grassy spot, and lay down with 
a sort of groan, beckoning to his servant 
to bring him a full wine-skin, from which 
he refreshed himself by copious draughts. 
Melchior lay at full length in the sun, and 
called for a beverage with hot spices, to 
warm his chilled blood. But Baldasser rode 
to the top of a hill, and looked in the direc- 
tion from which his daughter and her attend- 
ants should come. One by one, all the 
small divisions of the travelling party came 
together, — only Perinthes and two Germans 
were missing. 

Where is the Greek ? ” asked Baldasser. 

“A Roman soldier met us,” replied the 
leader of the German company, “and Pe- 


154 


THE THREE KINGS. 


rinthes — so he told me — inquired of the 
soldier about our road, how far we had to 
go, and what was the distance from Ephesus. 
I have no confidence in him, so I left two of 
our men to watch him. Behold, king ! they 
come at full speed.” 

It was indeed so. Esaias looked thought- 
ful, but said nothing. King Baldasser turned 
away, and devoted his whole attention to his 
daughter, whose appearance betokened great 
improvement in her condition, a circum- 
stance which gave much joy to her loving 
father. 

After an hour passed in repose, the 
party resumed their journey, without sep- 
arating again, for evening was approaching, 
at which time they always re-united for the 
night. On the way, Esaias, who did not once 
lose sight of the Greek, observed that he 
rode as near as possible to every tree, stone, 
or other object that stood in a conspicuous 


THE THREE KINGS. 


155 


position by the road, letting the point of his 
weapon fall against it as if by accident, but 
in such a manner as to leave a perceptible 
mark. This gave the Israelite room to ask 
him the question : 

“ Perinthes, dost thou suppose that we 
shall return by the same road, that thou art 
so careful to mark it ? ” 

“ It is not impossible,” replied the Greek, 
affecting indifference, but secretly biting his 
lips, and taking care to repeat his manoeuvre 
less frequently and^with greater caution. 

About dusk, they sought out a place shel- 
tered from the cool night-winds, and erected 
tents for the kings and for Erna. The Ger- 
mans disposed themselves near that occu- 
pied by Baldasser, placing their horses and 
their long lances near them. Before Caspar 
retired to rest, he carefully examined the 
stars, particularly that of the new-born King 
of the Jews. 


156 THE THREE KINGS. 

‘^The position of the stars,” he remarked 
to Baldasser and Melchior, “promises us a 
fortunate night.” 

This expression called a satirical smile to 
the countenance of the Greek, which he im- 
agined unobserved, but which did not escape 
the watchful eye of Esaias. The Israelite 
lay down near Perinthes, but did not go to 
sleep. His vigilance was indeed necessary. 
No sooner was all quiet in the camp, than 
Perinthes raised his head and listened. 
Then he crept on his hands and knees from 
his place, but not until he had lingered for 
a few seconds, irresolute whether he should 
kill the Israelite at once, or not. At the 
same moment, Esaias himself was in doubt 
whether he should seize the traitor and raise 
an alarm, or whether he should await his 
further motions. He decided upon the lat- 
ter course, and watched Perinthes go to the 
horses, cut their halters, and then remove 


THE THREE KINGS. 


157 


the lances to another spot, which Esaias 
particularly noted. 

All this accomplished, Perinthes stole 
silently and quickly out of the camp. As 
speedily, Esaias awoke his sleeping compan- 
ions, counselling them to quiet and caution, 
and acquainting them with the treachery of 
the Greek. The lances were brought back, 
the other weapons and the horses put in 
readiness for service, as far as possible ; and 
then, in silence, all awaited further develop- 
ments. 

To the German king, whose only anxiety 
was for his child, Esaias said, in a tone 
which inspired confidence: 

“As the Lord my God liveth, I will pro- 
tect thy daughter, and restore her to thee, 
come what may.” 

And now, at last, the betrayer Perinthes 
returned, guiding a party of Roman soldiers, 
and found, not men defenceless and sunk in 
14 


158 THE THREE KINGS. 

the unconsciousness of sleep, but a well-dis- 
ciplined, courageous, well-armed band, who 
received the attack with an effective resist- 
ance. 

The struggle was a fierce one, for the Ro- 
mans, though inferior in numbers, were not 
willing that the glory of their military fame 
should be tarnished by defeat, especially at 
the hands of a little party of northern bar- 
barians, who, on their part, fought with their 
usual fearless bravery, for the sake of their 
king and his only child. 

The spot, heretofore so peaceful, resound- 
ed with the wild din of conflict — the en- 
raged cries of the combatants, the terrified 
screams of the women and children, the 
groans of the wounded. At last, German 
strength achieved the victory over the al- 
ready degenerate Roman soldiery. The as- 
sailants bled under the thrusts of lances and 
the blows of heavy battle-axes. Up to this 


THE THREE KINGS. 


159 


time, only German arms had contended 
with the Romans. Now, as the miserable 
wounded remnant of the assailants were 
creeping away from the scene of conflict, 
the few Asiatics and Africans in the party 
slaughtered them to a man, that none might 
be left to carry Jiome the news of their dis- 
graceful defeat. 

If Baldasser, in the heat of the struggle, 
could have heard his daughter’s cries for help, 
he would have hastened to her side, for it 
was for her sake alone that his arm per- 
formed wonders of strength and courage. 
So much the more agonizing were his feel- 
ings, when, the contest being ended, he 
called Erna, but called in vain; no trace 
could be found of her or of her two women. 
Nor was Esaias to be found ; he, as well as 
Perinthes, had disappeared under the cover 
of night; which circumstance would have 
seemed to involve him in the treachery of 


i6o 


THE THREE KINGS. 


the Greek, had not his efifective assistance 
in preparing for the defence of the camp 
averted suspicion from him. Perhaps the 
next day would clear up the mystery. 

The light of returning day made manifest 
the losses that both parties had sustained. 
Only three Germans were found among the 
dead; their long lances having served to 
keep their opponents at a distance. Al- 
though scarcely any of the Germans had 
escaped without wounds, they all exulted 
in their victory over the world-renowned, 
the dreaded Romans. While the Asiatics 
and Africans, from motives of prudence, 
buried their slain opponents, the Germans 
interred the bodies of their brethren with 
solemn ceremony, to which the presence of 
their king lent peculiar dignity. In search- 
ing the vicinity for the women and children, 
they found, one after another, the two wo- 
men, and Erna’s playmates, Odo and Her- 


THE THREE KINGS. l6l 

mina, but of herself no trace, nor yet of the 
Israelite. 

According to the women’s account, Erna 
had been carried off by the Greek, from 
whom they had vainly tried to rescue her. 
Then they had left the battle-ground, and 
wandering in the woods, had become sepa- 
rated, and had lost themselves. Hermina, 
who had remained longest near Erna, as- 
serted that Esaias had fought for her against 
Perinthes, and that at last both of the men 
and the child had disappeared in the dark- 
ness. Baldasser would have gone with his 
men in search of the child, but Caspar said 
earnestly to him : 

“ Not so, my royal brother ! Thou mayest 
not forget that thou hast solemnly promised 
to journey with us, and to give us the pro- 
tection of thy soldiers, until we shall have 
found the new-born King of the Jews. Thou 

wilt not break thy royal word, my brother, 
14* L 


i 62 the three kings. 

now that Greek treachery has raised the 
enmity of the Romans against us.’* 

Baldasser bowed his head in silent assent. 
His heart bled, but he answered not a word. 
And so the journey was resumed in the direc- 
tion of the star. 


CHAPTER X. 


THE LAND OF JUDiEA. 

T he travellers reached the land of Judaea 
without further misfortune, — yet was 
Baldasser most unhappy. 

** Where and how are we to find the new- 
born King of the Jews,” said Melchior, “since 
the Hebrew who was our guide, and who 
alone knew the country, has disappeared? 
The star indeed shows us the quarter of the 
heavens under which we may find the royal 
child, but not the exact spot.” 

“ Where ? ” Caspar replied ; “ a strange 
question, my brother ! Wherever the royal 
father lives, there of course we shall find the 
infant. The city of the king is Jerusalem, — 
thither must we direct our steps. I am 

curious to know whether this Jerusalem can 

163 


164 the three kings. 

compare with my Ispahan. What I have 
seen of the land of Judsea, thus far, does 
not raise my anticipations very high. Ho ! 
Pombus ! ask that countryman the name of 
yonder river ! ” 

**lt is the Jordan, O king,” said the in- 
terpreter, after obeying the command of 
Caspar. 

The name awoke Baldasser from his rev- 
erie, the subject of which, as we may easily 
conceive, was his lost child. The Jordan ! 
That name stood in too close connection 
with his daughter Erna, for Baldasser to 
pass it by with inattention. The Jordan, of 
which Esaias had related so many wonder- 
ful things ! The Jordan, that wonderful 
stream, which had healed the Syrian cap- 
tain by his seven times repeated bathing in 
its waves! The Jordan, which was to cure 
Erna’s disease also. And there at that point 
it flowed, an insignificant stream, between 


THE THREE KINGS. l6$ 

low and sandy banks — its waters so turbid 
and troubled, could they yet possess such 
miraculous virtue? 

Arrived at its banks, Caspar inquired : 

“ Must we cross the river? ” 

**Yes, my king!” replied his interpreter. 

“But I see neither bridge nor vessel to 
carry us over,” objected Caspar. “A poor 
reception, indeed, for three royal magi, who 
have undertaken so long a journey to greet 
a new-born king. What wilt thou do, my 
silent brother Baldasser? ” 

The German king had already guided his 
horse into the stream, and replied : 

“ As thou seest, my brother, I will cross 
the stream.” 

Caspar and Melchior regarded each other 
inquiringly. The Germans, meanwhile, fol- 
lowed their king ; even the two women, with 
Hermina and Odo, rode fearlessly into the 
water. Caspar looked irresolutely for a few 


i66 


THE THREE KINGS. 


minutes at his small horse, comparing it with 
those of the Germans. Shame at last over- 
came his hesitation. He beckoned to his 
followers to keep as close as possible to him, 
and gave spurs to his horse. Melchior and 
his attendants followed, and the Jordan was 
soon covered with swimming horses, whose 
riders, according to their degree of courage, 
wore tranquil or anxious countenances. All, 
however, reached the opposite bank in safety, 
where the brown and the black kings paused 
to congratulate themselves upon this almost 
unexpected good fortune. 

‘"Ugh!” said Melchior, shivering, while he 
put on his dry clothing. “ If any one de- 
serves to find the philosopher’s stone, it is I. 
I risk losing my life for it, in my quest of 
immortality.” 

** May the writings of the Hebrews teach 
me to know the future more truly than did 
the stars the other night, when I looked for 


THE THREE KINGS. 


167 


a peaceful night’s rest, and was disturbed by 
those Roman soldiers ! ” exclaimed Caspar. 

Baldasser, on his part, knelt down upon 
the bank, and dipped his head seven times 
into the waters of the Jordan. 

“ I do it for my Erna,” he said, within him- 
self ; and remounting his horse, he went on 
his way in silence. 

A few days later, the travellers reached 
the vale of Salem, where Melchisedek had, 
long ago, met the victorious Abraham on 
his homeward march, had brought him bread 
and wine, and had blessed him. Here was 
the lofty city, Jerusalem, with all its houses 
and palaces, seated imposingly on its three 
hills, and surrounded by its ever memorable 
mountains. There, as if enthroned, was the 
royal habitation of Zion, where David had 
so often touched his harp. Now, alas! Ro- 
man soldiers walked its streets, looking 
proudly around upon the city that paid 


i68 


THE THREE KINGS. 


tribute to their imperial master. There 
towered the majestic Temple, the witness of 
the changeful history of the people of Israel. 
The golden ornaments of its walls shone in 
the evening sun, awakening the avarice of 
the Roman hirelings. 

There, where afterwards Christ the Lord 
wept compassionate tears over the city and 
its blinded inhabitants, now stood the proud 
Caspar, as he exclaimed : 

And yet, this city cannot compare with 
Ispahan ! ” 

Melchior took a palm-branch to drive off 
the insects that assailed him, and said : 

Brother Caspar, where are our lion-drawn 
chariots ? our litters ? our elephants ? our 
slaves? No one celebrates our royal en- 
trance into the city: we slip in here like 
beggars, — we, who should have a far differ- 
ent reception. And how still the city is ! 
Dost thou hear any sound of rejoicing over 


THE THREE KINGS. 


169 


the birth of the young king ? What if this 
star has misled us, as thine astrology did 
thee but lately ? ” 

Baldasser stood by with inattentive ear. 
For him Jerusalem, the city of Zion, the 
Temple, had no charms. His eyes sought 
eagerly and only — the pool of Bethesda ! 
Ah, he cherished the secret hope that there 
he might find his child, under the care of 
Esaias, — and perhaps too restored to health ! 
He could scarcely control his impatience to 
hasten to the wonderful pool. No sooner 
had they reached an inn, than he set out 
quickly toward the sheep-gate, in search 
of it. 

Evening was already approaching, when 
he found the spot so eagerly longed for. He 
entered a circle of stone porches, where he 
beheld with pain, almost with terror, such a 
scene as had never before presented itself to 
his eyes, certainly not in Germany. He 

15 


170 THE THREE KINGS. 

seemed in a great battlefield, where disease, 
that fearful enemy of humanity, had pros- 
trated its defenceless victims, weeping and 
groaning, and uttering agonizing prayers for 
aid. 

In whatever direction Baldasser looked, 
he saw beings of every age, sex, and nation, 
from whom pain extorted loud lamentations, 
or half-suppressed sighs. Everywhere was 
the livid image of death. And from the 
dark porches, and from the couches of 
anguish within them, the unhappy creatures 
watched with eager, longing eyes, a certain 
little pool, in order that they might perceive 
the first troubled motion of its quiet waters, 
when touched by some invisible messenger 
from Heaven. 

Whether it was delusion or reality, some 
one who stood by, while Baldasser lingered 
in this abode of sorrow, thought he saw 
the waters stir, and on his proclaiming this 


THE THREE KINGS. I71 

aloud, a scene of eager competition as to 
who should first reach the pool, arose among 
the afflicted throng. The sick appeared to 
have become suddenly well, and their limbs, 
but a moment before so enfeebled, to have 
been endowed with new vigor. Every one 
strove in haste to leave his couch, in order 
to be the first in the pool. On they pressed, 
shoving and pushing, crawling and creeping 
upon their hands and knees. All around 
the astonished Baldasser the ground ap- 
peared covered with panting and groaning 
human beings, who seemed rather to be 
fleeing from some death that menaced them, 
than hastening toward an expected cure. 
The German was still standing, lost in silent 
wonder, when a beseeching voice fell upon 
his ear. 

“ Alas, O stranger ! ” it said, in plaintive 
tones, **pity an unhappy wretch, who has 
lain for more than six years here upon a bed 


172 


THE THREE KINGS. 


of pain. There is no one to take me to the 
pool when the water is stirred, and if, after 
unspeakable sufferings, I reach its edge, 
another has gone into it before me ! Thou 
art so strong and healthy, — oh, I pray thee, 
carry me to the pool ! ” 

Baldasser raised the crippled, groaning 
paralytic from his couch, and bore him in 
his powerful arms to the pool, as speedily as 
the struggling crowd would permit. And 
now he saw the pool glittering before him, — 
already a joyful exclamation hovered upon 
the lips of the impotent man, when a sudden 
fall and a loud splash in the water was 
heard. The cry of joy changed to one of 
woe — the pushing, hurrying crowd to petri- 
fied images, some of whose countenances 
preserved the stillness of despair ; then 
broke out loud lamentations, muttered curses, 
or futile threats against the successful one, 
who had outrun the rest, and first reached 


THE THREE KINGS. 


173 


the water. With slow, painful efforts the 
poor wretches returned again to the beds 
they had so eagerly left ; and Baldasser laid 
down his poor, despairing burden, and hur- 
ried away from the scene of distress, with- 
out having discovered his lost child. 

On reaching the inn, he met Caspar, who 
approached him with a clouded brow. 

“ The new star and its vanished interpre- 
ter,” said the king of Ispahan, “have en- 
tirely deceived us. No one here knows any- 
thing of a new-born King of the Jews. What 
are we to do ? Since we are here, we must 
visit the king, I think, and ask some infor- 
mation of him. My confidence in astrology 
is much shaken ; I fear all my soothsayers 
are but flatterers and impostors. Dost thou 
not think even so of thine Esaias, my 
brother? ” 

What Baldasser had just witnessed was 
scarcely calculated to confirm his faith in 

15* 


174 the three kings. 

the Israelite’s accounts of the wonders of 
Judaea. He had found the river Jordan, 
and the Pool of Bethesda, entirely different 
from what he had imagined them. Caspar’s 
words snatched from him the last lingering 
hope. 

I have fulfilled my promise,” he replied, 
sadly, “ and now, my brother, let me go in 
search of my child. What to me is any 
other star than the light in Erna’s blue eye ? 
What is to me a new-born King of the 
Jews, if I must return home bereaved of my 
darling child? Let me seek my beloved 
daughter, — and if I find her not, let me 
die ! ” 

“Thou art not yet quite released from 
thy promise,” returned Caspar. “ We must 
first learn from this Jewish king’s own lips 
whether we are deceived or not. We will 
seek him, therefore, early on the morrow.” 

The next day the three kings, accom- 


THE THREE KINGS. 


175 


panied by an interpreter, proceeded to the 
palace of King Herod. They sought ad- 
mission in their assumed character of “wise 
men.” Caspar and Melchior were each pro- 
vided with a casket of valuable gifts intended 
for the new-born king. As with empty 
heart, so with empty hands, went Baldasser ; 
for Esaias had taken with him the gold that 
remained, as well as the crown and sceptre. 

Arriving at the house of King Herod, 
Caspar exclaimed, contemptuously : 

“ Truly, as king in Ispahan, I should have 
been ashamed to dwell in such a hovel as 
this ! Such a miserable place — such poverty 
everywhere visible ! What a difference be- 
tween this royal residence and my palace, 
with its magnificent surroundings! Dost 
thou not perceive it, my white brother ? ” 

Baldasser thought of his own simple habi- 
tation in the oak-woods of Germany, and 
sighed. There his child was with him, ill 


176 THE THREE KINGS. 

though she was. What pleasure could the 
most lordly palace afford him without his 
Erna ? 

After announcing the purpose of thmr 
visit to King Herod, the three kings were 
left standing waiting in the outer court of 
the palace. This gave Caspar fresh ground 
of complaint. 

“ This Jewish king does not appear even 
to be acquainted with the customs of hospi- 
tality. No water to wash our feet, — no re- 
freshment of any kind, — not even a cushion 
to rest upon ! ” 

He had sufficient leisure to vent his con- 
tempt and vexation. After much unreason- 
able delay, several servants entered the 
court, bringing a sort of canopied throne, 
which they set under a colonnade that ex- 
tended along the side of the palace, having 
an elevated pavement underneath it. At 
last, preceded and followed by a number of 


THE THREE KINGS. 


177 


attendants, King Herod himself appeared, in 
robes of royal purple, and seated himself 
under the canopy. 

Herod’s face was broad and red, his eyes 
small and gray, his person unwieldy, and, 
like his countenance, bloated with wine. He 
was probably over forty years of age. After 
regarding the strangers for a while with very 
curious and scrutinizing looks, he signified, 
by a gesture, that they were permitted to ad- 
dress him. 

The kings approached with the customary 
Oriental salutation, pausing at the distance 
of some paces from King Herod, resting on 
the right knee upon the ground, and cross- 
ing the hands upon the bosom, and said : 

“ Where is he that is born King of the 
Jews ? for we have seen his star in the East, 
and are come to worship him.” 

Herod and his attendants were terrified. 

“A new-born King of the Jews ? ” he ex- 
M 


i;8 


THE THREE KINGS. 


claimed, turning pale. Do ye not err ? No 
son has as yet been born to me. How long 
may it be since this birth ye speak of? ” 

Ah, thou miserable, beggarly king ! ” 
muttered Caspar. “ I know how to repay 
thee for thy insulting reception ! I will 
make thee so uneasy, that thou shalt think 
a fly to be an elephant ! — We do not err, O 
mighty lord ! ” he said, aloud. “ Too plainly 
did the large and brilliant star betoken the 
birth of a Jewish king. It is true, we can- 
not tell thee exactly the day and the hour 
of its appearance. It is perhaps a month or 
more since first we discovered that star in 
the firmament. It has gone before us, and 
led us into thy kingdom. All who behold 
it agree in believingy that the new-born king 
is destined to become great and powerful, 
and to behold all the nations of the earth at 
his feet. Therefore tell us, O king, where is 
he who is born King of the Jews, that we 


THE THREE KINGS. 1/9 

may fall at his feet and worship him, and 
implore his protection ! ” 

With malicious pleasure Caspar watched 
the growing anxiety of the King of Judaea, 
who turned in confusion first to his servants, 
then to the wise men. 

“ How the poor wretch trembles for his 
crown ! ” said Caspar, in a low voice, to his 
royal companions. “ He already imagines 
himself driven from his throne, and deprived 
of his kingdom. Truly, the Jews have 
brought me no exaggerated accounts of 
their tyrannical ruler.” 

Meanwhile, Herod had somewhat re- 
covered from his perplexity. To cover it, 
he affected sudden anger. 

“Ye are deceived ! ” he cried, with a frown, 
“ or ye are yourselves deceivers ! I know no 
new-born King of the Jews, of my race, and 
no other will I recognize ! ” 

Should we have come from far-off lands 
M 


i8o 


THE THREE KINGS. 


on an errand of deceit ? ” answered Melchior. 

Not to receive the wages of impostors, — 
nay, but to offer rich gifts, seek we the new- 
born king. Do impostors bear such things 
as these in their hands ?'” 

Thus speaking, /he opened the casket 
which he carried under his arm, exposing to 
Herod’s greedy gaze the gold, pearls, and 
costly spices which it contained, — a sight 
which raised the astonishment, envy, and 
avarice of that unworthy monarch to the 
highest pitch. 

“A wise man of thy people,” resumed 
Caspar, assured us that thou hast in thy 
possession those mysterious writings which 
give the most accurate information concern- 
ing this mighty and long-expected Ruler. 
And since we have been in thy kingdom, 
this report has been confirmed by thy sub- 
jects, although they have not been able to 
tell us when and where the subject of so 


THE THREE KINGS. l8l 

many tokens and prophecies should be 
born.” 

“Call hither the scribes!” commanded 
Herod, after reflecting for a few moments. 

On the instant appeared a number of vener- 
able men with long beards, and longer rolls 
of parchment, which, at the king’s command, 
they spread out and began to examine. 

“ Say quickly,” demanded Herod, im- 
patiently, “where shall the promised and 
expected Messiah be born ? ” 

And the scribes replied, with one ac- 
cord : 

“ In Bethlehem of Judaea. For thus it is 
written by the prophet Micah : ^ And thou 
Bethlehem, in the land of Judaea, art not the 
least among the princes of Juda ; for out of 
thee shall come a governor that shall rule 
my people Israel.’ ” 

“ Go I go I ” said Herod to the scribes ; 
“we need you no further. — And ye, wise 

i6 


i 82 


THE THREE KINGS. 


men of the East, ye know where ye must 
seek. And when ye shall have found the 
new-born king, return and bring me word, 
that I too may hasten to worship him.” 

“ Very sincere ! ” muttered Caspar. Bro- 
ther Melchior ! Herod must think us fools, 
rather than wise men, if he imagines that we 
will believe such a tale. We, as kings, know 
full well what we should do, if such an event 
were to happen in our kingdoms. Mighty 
monarch,” he said, addressing Herod, “where 
lies the town of Bethlehem ? Is it far dis- 
tant ? for we are almost wearied out by our 
long journeying.” 

“Bethlehem is scarcely a day’s journey 
from Jerusalem,” replied Herod. “ Go in 
peace, and forget not my request.” 

The kings departed. 

“ Well, my brother Baldasser,” said Cas- 
par, as they departed, “ thou seest that thou 
mayst not yet leave us. Perhaps Bethlehem 


THE THREE KINGS. 


183 


may be larger than this Jerusalem, and the 
king who lives there a better and more 
powerful one than this Herod.” 

On the next day, the three kings again 


set out. 


CHAPTER XI. 


BETHLEHEM. 

N O rude wintry blast swept over deso- 
lated plains and leafless trees; no 
snow covered the fields ; no ice the brooks, 
rivers and ponds. The chorus of the 
feathered dwellers of the woods had not 
been silenced ; no beast stiffened by the 
frost had burrowed under the earth, to sleep 
away a long and dreary season ; no bird had 
winged its way to other and warmer lands. 
Far otherwise : bright butterflies flitted in 
the warm sunshine over blooming flowers, 
over green fields and meadows ; and myriads 
of insects were still sporting merrily through 
the balmy air. It was a brighter and more 

joyous Christmas, that first one, than we 

184 


THE THREE KINGS. 185 

have, enlivened by nature as ours are, only 
by a few firs and hemlocks. 

It was already dark when the three kings 
entered Bethlehem. So modest and quiet 
lay the little town asleep in the valley ! And 
above its obscure dwellings was outspread 
so bright and fair a sky, filled with golden 
stars, and breathing a perfumed, springlike 
air ! The crescent moon glowed in the 
horizon, and mysteriously, yet with winning, 
tranquil light, the star of the new-born king 
hung over the little village. The weary 
horses of the travellers trod, almost in- 
audibly and with drooping heads, the velvet 
floor of the turf; and their riders were as 
silent as they. 

Even to the spirit of the German king 

the peaceful repose had reached. His heart 

bled less painfully for the disappearance of 

his child. He felt as he might have done 

when returning from a long war, or a 
16* 


l86 THE THREE KINGS. 

fatiguing hunt; as if the dark valley below, 
with its houses and trees, had been the oak- 
forest of his fatherland, where stood his 
modest dwelling ; as if Erna might soon 
come joyfully springing forth to meet him. 

It was Caspar who first broke the silence. 

There our star stands still,” he said, with 
bitter irony ; ** there, beneath it, lies the mag- 
nificent royal city ! Judging by its size, our 
infant prince may be the son of some honest 
countryman, his mother a servant, his palace 
a stable, hjs cradle a manger ! Oh, Mel- 
chior ! Melchior ! what hope hast thou now 
of finding thy philosopher’s stone ? So far 
as I am concerned, the Jews may keep their 
sacred books, and their predictions ! ” 

“ For once I have now travelled half the 
world over, but never again will I do so ! ” 
Melchior rejoined, in the same spirit. “The 
cold almost stiffens me into stone. With 
what joy will I greet once more the sunlight 


THE THREE KINGS. iS/ 

of my own kingdom, and the happy faces of 
my people ! Were I but there ! ” 

Baldasser said nothing ; his thoughts were 
all with his lost child. 

They soon reached the village, and stood 
before the inn. 

“ Ho there ! ” Caspar called to a maid-ser- 
vant, who came out of the house. “ Where 
shall we find the new-born King of the 
Jews? See, his star stands just above the 
house ! Is he within ?” 

“ Go seek him in the stable,” replied the 
woman ; “ there is a new-born babe, of whom 
our shepherds have told a wonderful story. 
He is to be anointed, — but whether as king 
or as high-priest, who can tell ? ” 

“ This is indeed strange ! ” exclaimed Cas- 
par, dismounting. “ What if the prediction 
I made in jest should prove true ? it would 
be still more wonderful. Follow me, good 
brothers ! ” he said to his companions, and 
they entered the stable. 


i88 


THE THREE KINGS. 


A lamp, which hung from the beams of 
the roof, close by a stone pillar in the mid- 
dle of the large building, was scarcely suf- 
ficient to light the stable, which was filled 
on all sides with domestic animals. Near 
the burdened camel stood the patient ass ; 
the useful ox rested there, the spirited horse 
stamped, the quiet sheep chewed the cud. 
Most of these animals were taking the first 
sleep of the night, so that an almost un- 
broken stillness reigned throughout the 
dimly lighted place. The air streamed softly 
in through the many crevices in the walls, 
and caused the hanging lamp to swing slowly 
to and fro, so that its rays flitted from one 
object to another. In this dim chamber, 
near the animals, wearied travellers rested 
upon soft moss or hay, sleeping more sweetly 
than kings within their palace-walls. 

The picture which we have so imperfectly 
portrayed was not without its effect upon 


THE THREE KINGS. 


189 


Caspar. More quietly and seriously than 
might have been expected from him, he ap- 
proached the stone pillar, near which a man 
of grave and dignified appearance, and a 
young woman, were seated side by side, con- 
versing in but half audible tones. 

“Where is the new-born child?” asked 
Caspar, repressing a scornful smile; “where 
is the future King of the Jews ? His star, 
which we saw in the far East, stands over 
this house. Is there indeed a wonderful in- 
fant here, as yonder maid-servant told us ? ” 

“ There lies the new-born child ! ” replied 
the young woman, pointing with the happy 
blush of sacred maternal love to the nearest 
manger, on which lay a tender infant, 
wrapped in white swaddling - clothes, and 
sleeping. 

From the child, Caspar turned his aston- 
ished gaze to the mother, and asked abruptly: 


“ Whose is this child ? 


190 


THE THREE KINGS. 


It is my child, O my lord ! ” replied the 
mother, in a tone of heartfelt joy. 

And art thou its father ? ” asked Caspar 
of the man. 

“No, my lord!” he replied. “Jehovah, 
the Lord our God, is the father of the child. 
But this is my betrothed wife, Mary.” 

“ Man, what is thy name — thy occupa- 
tion ? ” 

“ I am a carpenter, and my name is Joseph.” 

“ And who art thou ? ” pursued Caspar, 
turning to Mary, “ and what is the history 
of -thy child?” 

“I am the lowliest handmaiden of the 
Lord,” said the woman, with deep humility. 
“ But Jehovah has regarded my low estate in 
mercy, so that henceforward all the children 
of men shall call me blessed. An angel of 
my God appeared unto me, and told me that 
my child should be great, and should be 
called the Son of the Highest ; that the Lord 


THE THREE KINGS. I9I 

would give him the throne of his father 
David, and that he should rule over the house 
of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there 
should be no end.” 

“This is most wonderful,” murmured Cas- 
par, shaking his head, and looking again and 
again at the manger. “ A son of the gods,” 
he went on, “ his mother a low-born woman, 
his palace a stable, his cradle a manger! 
Let him reconcile all this who can ! ” 

Turning again to the group beside him, 
Caspar saw that Baldasser had taken the 
sleeping infant from its strange bed, and was 
holding it tenderly in his arms; and that 
the mother had carefully drawn a linen cloth 
partly over the angelic countenance, lest the 
lamp-light should dazzle the little one’s eyes. 

Baldasser, finding in the child a young and 
tender image of the one he had lost, breathed 
loving kisses upon its cheeks and lips ; after 
which he laid his right hand upon its head, 


192 


THE THREE KINGS. 


as if in blessing, bedewing it with warm 
tears. At this moment there was a slight 
rustling in a heap of dry hay close to them, 
and a German tongue murmured dreamily : 

Father!" 

Baldasser trembled in every limb. Quick- 
ly he laid the infant in its mother’s arms. 

“What was that?" he asked in amaze- 
ment, looking eagerly into the shadows 
around him. 

“ It is the stranger-child," replied Mary, 
gently. “ Awake or asleep,* she is always 
speaking of her father, whom she looks for 
hourly." 

“A stranger-child?” repeated Baldasser, 
pale with excitement and hope. 

“Yes I " replied the mother, “ a pious Isra- 
elite committed her to our care a few days 
ago, telling us that her father would come 
and receive her from us." 

Already was Baldasser kneeling beside his 


THE THREE KINGS. 


193 


child, his Erna, restored to him ! In spite 
of the darkness, he had recognized her in- 
stantly. 

“ Erna, my sweet, my beloved, my lost 
child ! have I indeed found thee ? ” he mur- 
mured, in a broken voice. He would not 
awaken the little girl, but he could not resist 
the temptation to stroke her hands and her 
cheeks, and gently to kiss her forehead. She 
stirred, — she awoke. 

Thou art come, my father ! ” she said, 
joyfully. “Oh, I should have known that 
thou wouldst soon come, if even Esaias had 
not told me so! ” 

“ I have thee again, my child ! ” exclaimed 
Baldasser, joyously. “Whether healed or 
not, thou art restored to me I ” 

“Yes, yes, my father,” Erna answered, 
“ healed, entirely and forever, of my disease. 
The first time I took that little God-child in 

my arms, I felt the evil spirit of disease flee 
17 N 


194 


THE THREE KINGS. 


from me. Since then, my speech is a con- 
stant song, and I dance as I walk ; but I am 
singing songs of praise, and dancing for joy, 
because my blood flows so free and so healthy 
through my veins.” 

“And where is Esaias, that I may thank 
him ? ” asked Baldasser. 

“ He is gone, and will never return,” an- 
swered Erna, “ for he was a messenger of the 
gods, — an angel of the Lord, the good Mary 
says, to lead me to my Saviour. Yes, my 
father, the child is a Saviour, and so they call 
him Jesus.” 

“ Oh, tell me how and why I find thee 
here,” urg^d Baldasser. 

“ Whilst thou wert fighting with the Ro- 
mans on that dreadful night,” said Erna, “the 
false Greek came to me amid the confusion, 
and said that thou hadst commanded him to 
lead me to a safe place until the fight should 
be over, and that I must go without my wo- 


THE THREE KINGS. 


195 


men, so that the Romans should not discover 
my flight. This was all that I knew, — what 
happened afterward, I could not tell, for my 
disease attacked me, and I was unconscious. 
When I came to myself, it was day, and Per- 
inthes was gone. Instead of him, I saw our 
good Esaias, who had hastened to save me, 
and had forced the Greek to take speedy flight. 
I did not know why Perinthes wanted to carry 
me off. Esaias told me that because thy care 
had prevented the Greek from escaping be- 
fore, he had betrayed us to the Romans ; and 
they had attacked us for the sake of the 
treasures which the other kings carried ; and 
that he would have stolen me, partly to have 
revenge upon thee, and partly through vanity, 
to gain attention and respect in his own coun- 
try by showing there the daughter of a Ger- 
man king. We tried in vain to find thee and 
thy party, and therefore concluded to follow 
the star, and seek the new-born king of the 
Jews, hoping thus to meet with thee.” 


196 THE THREE KINGS. 

Didst thou cross the Jordan, my child?’’ 
asked Baldasser; “ and didst thou bathe seven 
times therein?” 

'‘I came over the Jordan, and washed seven 
times in its waters,” replied Erna, “but did 
not find myself healed.” 

“Wert thou also in Jerusalem, and didst 
thou go into the pool of Bethesda ? ” Bal- 
dasser further inquired. 

“ No, my father ; we journeyed without de- 
lay toward Bethlehem, for Esaias knew that 
in this place the Messiah must be born. 
Near the town we met with some shepherds, 
who were watching their flocks. They told 
us, that on a certain night, a bright light from 
heaven shone around them, and an angel an- 
nounced to them the birth of the Saviour, 
whom they were to find in Bethlehem, lying 
in a manger. And, all at once, a great host 
of heavenly beings appeared with the angel, 
praising the God of the Israelites, and fore- 


THE THREE KINGS. 


197 


telling great joy to all mankind. The shep- 
herds, that same night, sought out the child, 
and found all things just as the angel had 
told them. We, too, easily found this won- 
derful child, and then Esaias left me, saying 
that he must hasten to his own home. But 
I think, with the mother Mary, that heaven 
is Esaias’s home, and that he is an angel. 
He left with me thy crown, thy sceptre, and 
the gold that remained. Here they are, my 
father!” 

Here Erna closed her narrative. 

From his daughter, Baldasser turned to 
the Holy Child, who was awake, and lay 
upon his mother’s knee. There, also, Bal- 
dasser placed his crown, his sceptre, and his 
gold, then bowed in adoration before the 
babe, saying solemnly : 

“Oh, thou Saviour of my child I graciously 
accept the offering of a poor heathen king I 
Reject not the gratitude of a father whom 
17* 


198 THE THREE KINGS. 

Thou hast made happy, and let Thy blessing 
ever rest upon my child ! ” 

He bowed his head over the Child, and 
reverently kissed the little hand stretched 
out toward the glittering gold. And Erna, 
kneeling beside her father, imitated his ex- 
ample. Erna’s women and playmates, too, 
and the tall, powerful German soldiers, — all 
knelt around their king, and united their ad- 
oration with his. 

Caspar touched his royal brother Melchior, 
and said in low tones : 

“Should we allow ourselves to be sur- 
passed in generosity by this poor barbarian 
king? We are rich enough, and we have 
carried these heavy caskets with us so long, 
that it will be a relief to part with them. 
For my part, I care little whether the child 
is or is not destined to become a king ; at 
least let us not expose ourselves to the ridi- 
cule of our people ; let us act as if his royal 
claims were proved.” 


THE THREE KINGS. I99 

Melchior nodded assent, and both kings 
knelt before the Holy Child, offering to him 
gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and doing 
reverence to him as to a future monarch. 
Their attendants followed their example, 
so that at last all, Europeans, Asiatics, and 
Africans, were bowed to the ground before 
the Redeemer of the world. 

The Child Jesus gazed with his large, clear 
eyes upon the many strange figures before 
him ; his mother’s heart leaped within her 
for joy; for what mother does not regard 
the honor and happiness of her beloved child 
more than her own ? And Mary’s lips whis- 
pered adoringly : 

“ I am the handmaid of the Lord ! He 
who is mighty has done great things to me, 
and blessed be His Name.” 

Joseph, the foster-father of the Saviour, 
regarded the kneeling kings and their attend- 
ants, and the golden gifts lying in the lap 


200 


THE THREE KINGS. 


of Mary, with folded hands and reverent 
silence. 

The light of the lamp seemed to grow 
brighter and brighter, and to illumine all the 
dark corners of the stable; and now angelic 
figures hovered in the solemn radiance, and 
repeated in voices of ineffable sweetness 
their song of praise : 

“ Glory be to God in the highest, and on 
earth peace, good-will toward men.” 

And not even the dumb beasts ventured 
to disturb the celestial music by a single dis- 
cordant sound, but listened with ears erect, 
and in awed silence. 


CHAI>TER XIL 


A GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE. 

B ALDASSER’S happiness was greater 
than he had ever before experienced ; 
for we never learn to appreciate our bless- 
ings as they deserve until w^e have felt the 
pain of losing them for a while. 

It seemed to the humble German king 
almost as if he were at home in his rude and 
unadorned dwelling. All here was more 
friendly, more homelike, than had been the 
stateliest palaces of Asia. 

While Caspar and Melchior were reluct- 
antly preparing to spend the night in the 
stable, Baldasser had already fallen into a 
quiet sleep beside his restored treasure, — his 
dear child ; his right arm thrown protect- 


201 


202 


THE THREE KINGS. 


ingly across her. And he dreamed that 
Esaias, in a radiant, angelic form, came to 
his side, and spoke to him : 

“ Baldasser ! I have fulfilled the promise I 
made unto thee ! Long since did the true 
Esaias, who fell a captive into thy hands, 
leave thee, to return to his home and friends. 
A messenger of the only true God, who 
loves all men as His children, I was sent 
forth to lead thee and thy child hither from 
thy fatherland, that Erna might be restored, 
and that thou mightest no longer sit in the 
valley and shadow of death. No more wilt 
thou permit that God’s children shall serve 
false gods, or be sacrificed unto them. The 
living God has written His will on the heart 
of every human being. Consult thy con- 
science, and obey it, and worship Jehovah in 
spirit and in truth. But when the child Jesus 
shall grow up. He shall declare unto all men 
His heavenly Father’s will, that the world 
may learn fully to know and to obey it. 


THE THREE KINGS. 


203 


^*What thou in pious gratitude, and the 
other kings in idle vanity, hast given unto 
the child Jesus, will enable his parents to 
depart with him into Egypt, where he may 
be safe from the persecution of the cruel 
Herod. And because thou hast, with humble 
faith, adored the Son of God in all his present 
lowliness, Jehovah will bless thee to thy re- 
motest posterity. Arise, Baldasser, lift up 
thine eyes, and thou shalt see the future of 
thy people ! ” 

And Baldasser looked, and found himself 
standing in a well-known region of Europe, 
on a high mountain in his own country. The 
gloomy forests fell before his eyes, the wolves, 
bears, and other wild beasts fled, the marshes 
were dried up, or changed into navigable 
streams. Countless flocks and herds grazed 
on the flowery meadows, and over the fruit- 
ful fields passed the plough of the peasant, 
and his diligent hand dropped the golden 
grain into the brown furrows. No longer 


204 


THE THREE KINGS. 


bitter, wild fruit, nor sour sloes, but the sweet, 
generous fruits of Asia hung from the trees ; 
even the noble vine clung lovingly to the 
steep hillsides. And everywhere arose com- 
fortable dwellings ; and countless villages, 
populous cities, arched bridges that boldly 
spanned the streams, and heaven-pointing 
spires everywhere covered the once wild 
and desolate land. And there, too, were 
glorious temples, from which floated forth 
the joyous anthem of faith : 

Too Iry the gi0ltj (^h0iS!t, 

§0rw 0f the lieuitt Paeij, ^'uffemt undee f 0W- 
tiu^f ^il»te, eeueitied, de»d, »nd hueied ; lie 
descended iute hell; 5I!he third d^y he re^sie trem 
the dead; ge aj5;eended iut0 heaven, g^nd j&itteth 
0a the rioht hand at C^ed the (father g^lmighty; 
^grem thenee he isitall eeme tn judge the guieh and 
the dead/' 

And every knee bowed in adoration be- 
fore the Holy One, who had lain in the lap 


THE THREE KINGS. 205 

of Mary. And the voice of the preacher 
was heard, saying: 

“Wherefore, O man, seekest thou the phil- 
osopher’s stone, that thou mayest live forever? 
Behold, immortality is found, — for Christ has 
conquered Death, and he who believes in him, 
though he were dead, yet shall he live ! ” 

And Baldasser looked again, and saw 
great ships, that crossed the foaming deep, 
and returned, laden with the treasures of dis- 
tant lands. And once more he looked, and 
saw that in Asia and in Africa men still 
worshipped false gods, and offered bloody 
sacrifices to them. And he saw his white 
countrymen go forth to preach the gospel to 
their brown and black brethren, so that they 
conquered them with the peaceful and holy 
weapons of the gospel. 

“ Thus shall it be,” said Baldasser’s guide, 
Esaias, “ that the first shall be last, and the 
last first.” 

i8 


206 


THE THREE KINGS. 


Gradually these pictures faded from before 
Baldasser’s eyes, giving place to an increas- 
ing, celestial light. And far above him, he 
heard the sound of heavenly music, and the 
song of the angels, saying : 

“ Children, love one another ! for God is 
love, and he only who dwells in love dwells 
in Him ! So shall peace be upon earth, as 
it is in heaven. Halleluia ! ” 

With these sweet harmonies in his ears, 
Baldasser awoke. 

He awoke to find his happiness no dream, 
as he had feared it might be. No, — asleep 
beside him indeed lay his child, restored to 
health and to his arms. And near him the 
infant Saviour rested on the bosom of his 
mother; while the grave and thoughtful 
Joseph, having already risen, was making 
preparations for that speedy, sad journey into 
Egypt, God having warned him so to do. 

Once more Erna took the Christ-child, 
her Saviour, in her arms, and kissed him in 


THE THREE KINGS. 


207 


the fulness of her grateful love. Once more 
the German king knelt before him in rever- 
ence; and then the parting. 

Without returning to Jerusalem, to fulfil 
the wish of the crafty Herod, the kings went 
each by the shortest road to his own home. 
Caspar turned to the East, Melchior toward 
his own country in the region of noon, 
Joseph and Mary with the Holy Child de- 
parted for Egypt, and Baldasser for the 
North. Before they parted, however, Cas- 
par had managed, unobserved, to hide the 
valuable treasures that still remained in his 
casket among Erna’s baggage, that the Ger- 
man king might not suffer from privation on 
his homeward journey, — an act of thought- 
ful kindness that atoned for many short- 
comings in the Eastern monarch. 

Baldasser arrived at home safe, after a 
prosperous journey, and was received with 
joy by his faithful people. The death of the 
high -priest, Mamuh, occurring soon after, 
rendered the abolition of idolatry and of 


2o8 


THE THREE KINGS. 


human sacrifices far easier for the king. 
What the king and his followers related to 
their countrymen, of the many things worthy 
of imitation which they had seen on their 
journey, as well as the example of Baldas- 
ser, prompted and encouraged the Germans 
to lay aside many deep-rooted prejudices, 
and to make many improvements in their 
customs and manner of living. So that, 
years later, Christianity, in its triumphant 
spread over the world, found among the 
countrymen of Baldasser a soil already well 
prepared for its growth. 

Erna, whose malady never again returned, 
lived to be the joy of her father, and the 
mother of a strong and valiant race, whose 
descendants still live in 

j|clocc(I ^atlwrlaiiH. 



HISTORIC SKETCH. 


Now when Jesus was bom in Bethlehem of Judea, in the 
days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men 
from the east to Jerusalem, saying. Where is he that is 
born King of the Jews ? for we have seen his star in the 
east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king 
had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem 
with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests 
and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them 
where Christ should be born. And they said unto him. 
In Bethlehem of Judea : for thus it is written by the prophet. 
And thou, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the 
least among the princes of Judah ; for out of thee shall 
come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 
Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, 
inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 
And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said. Go and search 
diligently for the young child ; and when ye have found 
him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship 
him also. When they had heard the king, they departed ; 
i8* O 209 


210 


HISTORIC SKETCH. 


and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before 
them, till it came and stood over where the young child 
was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceed- 
ing great joy. And when they were come into the house, 
they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell 
down and worshipped him : and when they had opened 
their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and 
frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a 
dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed 
into their own country another way. — Matt. ii. I-12. 


LL that we really know of the visit of 



LIl. the “Wise Men” to the Infant Re- 
deemer is contained in the above sacred 
narrative ; and we would be sorry to have 
the young reader confound a legend with 
Inspiration. A legend, in the sense we use 
the term, is “ a remarkable story, whether 
true or false, handed down from early 
times ; “ an inspired history comes direct from 
God, and is to be found only in the Bible. 
Our story of the “ Three Holy Kings “ is a 
German legend founded upon the Gospel 


HISTORIC SKETCH. 


21 1 


account ; and while it gives us much that is 
not inspired, it yet tells us nothing that is 
at variance with the New Testament. Bible 
history is so concise that even of the life of 
our Saviour, of whom all who love him 
could not read too much, there is what 
seems to be so meagre an account that the 
Apostle John says: “And there are also 
many other things which Jesus did, the 
which, if they should be written every one, 
I suppose that even the world itself could 
not contain the books that should be 
written.” For this reason some of the best 
and most pious writers have composed 
stories founded upon Bible histories ; stories 
which have been and will be read with ever 
increasing delight by old and by young. 

Among these stories the legends of the 
“ Three Holy Kings ” occupy a prominent 
place. For hundreds of years many differ- 
ent traditions, more or less romantic, have 


212 


HISTORIC SKETCH. 


been written about “ The Wise Men : ” the 
one we present is, of course, to be regarded 
from a German point of view. 

The old — once Roman, now German — city 
of Cologne claims to have in her Cathedral 
the skulls of these Three Wise Men ; ” and 
it is but a few years since the celebration 
of the seven hundredth anniversary of the 
transfer of these remains from Milan. If 
any of our young friends ever go to Cologne, 
they will, of course, visit the celebrated 
Cathedral, where they can take a peep 
through the glass end of the rich case that 
contains what are said to be the skulls of the 
three famous “ Magi,” each skull having the 
name of its former owner inscribed upon it 
in letters of rubies. In front of the shrine 
they will find the following inscription in 
Latin : 

“ Here repose the bodies of the three holy ‘ Magi,’ 

From which nothing has been taken, or is elsewhere 
placed.” 


HISTORIC SKETCH. 


213 


About these relics are told many curious 
tales, which we have not room to insert 
here. 

The following extract from an article in 
the “ London Quarterly Review,” embracing 
a number of old-time legends, collected by 
Johannes Von Hildesheim,in 1375, illustrates 
the traditionary beliefs that prevailed in the 
church long before there was such a word as 
Protestant : 

“ The prophecy that a star should rise in Jacob, having 
proceeded from a heathen prophet, the heathens themselves 
became interested in its fulfilment ; and watch was kept 
from a tower on a high hill in India where twelve astrol- 
ogers observed the heavens night and day. When the time 
was come, a brilliant star was seen to rise in the east, which 
shed a light all over the land, and was as bright as the sun. 
And the star bore within it the figure of a little child, and 
the sign of the cross, and a voice came from it saying, ‘ To- 
day is there born a king in Judea.’ And this star was seen 
over all India, and the people rejoiced, and no one doubted 
that it was the same of which Balaam had prophesied. 


214 


HISTORIC SKETCH. 


India included three regions, each separated from the 
other by high mountains. One of these was Arabia, the 
soil of which is quite red with the quantity of gold it 
contains, and here Melchior was king. The second was 
Godolia, of which part is called Saba, where frankincense 
is so abundant that it flows out of the trees, and Balthazar 
ruled there. And the third, India, contained the kingdom 
of Tharsis, where myrrh hangs so plentifully on the bushes 
that as you walk along it sticks to your clothes, and here 
Caspar reigned. But as they were best known by the gifts 
they brought, the Scriptures only mention them as the kings 
of Tharsis, Arabia, and Saba. 

“ Now each of the kings saw the star and determined to 
follow it, but no one of the three knew anything of his 
neighbor’s intentions. So each set off with a numerous 
retinue, and the whole way, though beset with mountains 
and rivers, was equally dry and level to them, and they 
neither ate nor drank, nor rested nor slept, neither they nor 
their servants, nor their horses nor their cattle, but followed 
the star without ceasing. In this manner the whole journey 
only occupied them thirteen days, though it took them two 
years to return. ‘ And whoever doubts this let them read,’ 
says the little book, ‘ in the prophet Daniel, where Ha- 
bakkuk was taken by the hair of his head, and transported 
from Jerusalem to Babylon in one hour.’ (Bel and the 
Dragon, ver. 36.) 


HISTORIC SKETCH. 


215 


“ But when they were come within two miles of Jeru- 
salem, the star disappeared, and a heavy fog arose, and 
each party halted : Melchior, as it fell out, taking his stand 
on Mount Calvary, Balthazar on the Mount of Olives, and 
Caspar just between them, and when the fog cleared away, 
each was astonished to see two other great companies be- 
sides his own, and then the kings first discovered that all 
had come upon the same errand, and they embraced with 
great joy, and rode together into Jerusalem. There the 
crowd of their united trains was so great, that they looked 
like an army come to besiege the city, and Herod and all 
Jerusalem were troubled. 

“ And the strangers inquired for Him that was born King 
of the Jews, whose star they had seen in the east, and were 
directed, as the Scriptures relate, to Bethlehem. And the 
star again went before them, and stood over a miserable 
hut. In this hut lay the infant Jesus, now thirteen days 
old, with his mother Mary, who was stout in figure, and 
brown in face, and had on an old blue robe. But the kings 
were splendidly attired, and had brought great treasures 
with them, for it must be known that all that Alexander 
the Great left at his death, and all that the Queen of Sheba 
gave to King Solomon, and all that Solomon collected for 
the Temple, had descended to the Three Kings from their 
ancestors who had pillaged the Temple of Jerusalem, and 


2i6 


HISTORIC SKETCH. 


all this they had now brought with them. But when they 
entered this miserable hut, it was filled with such an ex- 
ceeding light, that for fear and amazement they knew not 
what they did; and they each offered quickly the first 
things that came to their hands and forgot all their other 
gifts. 

“ Melchior offered thirty golden pennies ; Balthazar gave 
frankincense, and Caspar myrrh ; but what the Virgin said 
to them they quite forgot, and only remembered that they 
bowed before the child, and said, ‘ Thanks be to God.’ 
Each of the gifts, however, had a significant history, 
especially the thirty pennies, which appear to have assisted 
at all the money transactions mentioned in the Scriptures. 
Having been originally struck by Abraham’s father, they 
were paid by Abraham for the cave of Machpelah; and 
by Potiphar for Joseph to his brethren ; and by Joseph’s 
brethren to Joseph for corn in Egypt; and by Joseph to 
one Queen of Sheba for ointment to anoint the body of his 
father Jacob ; and by a later Queen of Sheba to Solomon, 
whence, as we have seen, they came into the hands of 
Melchior, who now offered them at Bethlehem. 

“ Nor does their history end here, for as the holy family 
fled into Egypt, the Virgin tied ug the money with the 
frankincense and myrrh, together in a cloth, and dropped 
it by the way, and a shepherd tending his flock found the 


HISTORIC SKETCH. 


217 


cloth, and kept it safe till the time when Jesus was perform- 
ing his miracles in Judea. Then being afflicted with a 
disease he came to Jerusalem, and Jesus cured him ; and 
the shepherd offered him the cloth, but Jesus knew what 
was in it, and desired him to offer it upon the altar. There 
the Levite who ministered, burnt the frankincense ; and of 
part of the myrrh a bitter drink was made which they gave 
the Saviour on the Cross; and the remainder Nicodemus 
presented for his burial ; but the thirty pennies were made 
over to Judas for betraying Christ, and he threw them down 
in remorse at the feet of the high-priest ; whereupon fifteen 
went to pay the soldiers who watched by the tomb, and the 
other fifteen bought a field to bury poor pilgrims. 

“ To return to the kings. After they had made their 
offerings they ate and drank and lay down to rest, but 
being warned against Herod in a' dream, they returned to 
their own country by the regular way, and with all expe- 
dition did not reach it for two years. There they told all 
the people what they had seen, and the wonders God had 
wrought, and everywhere upon their temples the people 
erected the image of a star with the child and cross in it. 
And it came to pass that St. Thomas the Apostle was sent 
to preach the Word in India, and when he saw the star on 
their temples he was astonished, and asked what it meant. 
Then the heathen priests told him about the three kings, 

19 


2I8 


HISTORIC SKETCH. 


and how they had journeyed to Bethlehem, and seen the 
young child ; at which St. Thomas rejoiced exceedingly, 
for he had heard of the Magi, as they were called, from 
the circumstance of the twelve astrologers, and he per- 
formed so many miracles that his fame filled the three 
Indies. 

“Now the three kings were very old and infirm, but 
hearing of St. Thomas they each determined to see him ; 
and again, as it so happened, they set out on the same day, 
and without know;ing each other’s movements, reached St. 
Thomas at the same time. And first St. Thomas baptized 
them, and then he ordained them priests, for the little book 
adds, ‘ they were not married men,’ and never had been. 
And they built a city, and lived together in great joy and 
love for two years, preaching the gospel. Then Melchior 
died and was buried in a costly grave, and shortly after 
Balthazar died also, and was laid in the same place ; and 
at length Caspar gave up the ghost, and when his body 
was brought to be buried near his companions, Melchior 
and Balthazar, who lay side by side, moved asunder, and 
made room for him between them. And many were the 
wonders and miracles performed at the tomb; but for all 
that, the people forsook the right way, and /ell into great 
heresies, and at length each of the three Indies insisted on 
taking the body of their king back to his own country. 


HISTORIC SKETCH. 


219 


“ Now came the happy times of the good Emperor Con- 
stantine and his mother Helena, who, after finding the true 
cross and the four nails, and the cloth in which the child 
had lain, and the old blue robe of the Virgin, determined 
on finding the bodies of the three kings as well. For this 
she travelled expressly to India, where, after much diffi- 
culty, especially on behalf of Caspar, who had got among 
a sad set of heretics, she succeeded in obtaining all three, 
and when they were at length deposited again in one re- 
ceptacle, there arose such an unspeakably delightful smell, 
as convinced all the faithful not only of the identity of the 
bodies, but of their exceeding satisfaction at being together 
once more. By Helena they were taken to Constantinople, 
where they lay for some time in great honor at the Church 
of St. Sophia ; fell into discredit in the times of Julian the 
Apostate; rose again into favor with his successor; and 
were ultimately presented to Eustorgius, Bishop of Milan, 
a Greek by birth, who had done great service to the Greek 
Church. 

“ From Milan, Barbarossa, as we have seen, carried 
them off, and gave witness both of his own devotion to the 
church and his favor for Cologne, by presenting them to 
that city, where they first lay in the old Cathedral of the 
Bishop Hildebold, and now lie in the new one founded by 
Conrad of Hochsteden, where, with God’s blessing, they 
will remain until the day of judgment.” 


220 


HISTORIC SKETCH. 


We can, perhaps, add nothing that will 
more fitly close this sketch than the follow- 
ing little poems, which are fair illustrations 
of the modern efforts in honor of 






THE THREE KINGS. 

We three kings of Orient are ; 
Bearing gifts we traverse afar 
Field and fountain, 

Moor and mountain, 
Following yonder Star. 

Chorus. 

O Star of wonder, Star of night, 
Star with royal beauty bright, 
Westward leading, 

Still proceeding. 

Guide us to the perfect Light. 


HISTORIC SKETCH. 


221 


Bom a king on Bethlehem plain, 
Gold I bring to crown Him again, 
King for ever, 

Ceasing never. 

Over us all to reign. 


Frankincense to offer have I ; 
Incense owns a Deity nigh: 

Prayer and praising. 

All men raising, 

Worship Him God on high. 

Myrrh is mine ; its bitter perfume 
Breathes a life of gathering gloom ; 
Sorrowing, sighing. 

Bleeding, dying. 

Sealed in the stone-cold tomb. 


Glorious now behold Him arise, 
King, and God, and Sacrifice; 
Heaven singing 
Hallelujah; 

Hallelujah the earth replies. 


222 


HISTORIC SKETCH. 


THE WISE MEN FROM THE EAST. 

O’er the hill and o’er the vale 
Come three kings together, 

Caring nought for snow and hail, 

Cold and wind and weather ; 

Now on Persia’s sandy plains. 

Now where Tigris swells with rains. 
They their camels tether. 

Now through Syrian lands they go. 
Now through Moab, faint and slow. 
Now o’er Edom’s heather. 


O’er the hill and o’er the vale. 

Each king bears a present ; 

Wise men go a Christ to hail, 
Monarchs seek a peasant ; 

, And a Star in front proceeds. 

Over rocks and rivers leads. 

Shines and beams incessant; 
Therefore onward, onward still. 
Ford the stream and climb the hill ; 
Love makes all things pleasant. 


HISTORIC SKETCH. 


223 


He is God ye go to meet, 
Therefore incense proffer : 

He is King ye go to greet; 

Gold is in your coffer. 

Also Man, He comes to share 
Every woe that man can bear — 
Tempter, Railer, Scoffer. 
Therefore now, against the day. 
In the grave where Him they lay, 
Myrrh ye also offer. 





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